JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College women's basketball got off to its best start of the season Friday evening, opening the game strong with 19 first-quarter points and a 7-point lead, but was unable to the pace as the Baruch College Bearcats (8–9, 4–2 CUNYAC) pulled away for a 66–54 CUNYAC victory inside York College Gymnasium.

How it Happened

• Amaniya Aiken drained a jumper just 17 seconds into the contest to break the scoring ice and give York an early edge. 
• Following a three-pointer by Baruch's Isabella Kostyal-Larrier, the Cardinals went on a 15–0 scoring spree, highlighted by five points from Aiken and four from Arta Gjeloshi, while capitalizing on five Baruch turnovers to score six points during the stretch. 
• York shot an efficient 9-of-12 from the field in the opening quarter to take a 19–12 lead into the second period, as the 19 points marked the Cardinals' highest-scoring stanza of the season and their best opening frame of the season.
• Baruch rallied with a dominant 27–4 run, building on a 9–2 spurt in the final moments of the opening quarter and extending it with an 18–2 surge in the second to take a 30–21 lead.
• York closed the half with some momentum, as Aiken converted a layup with 18 seconds remaining to trim the deficit to seven, sending Baruch into the break ahead 30–23.
• Aiken exploded for 11 points in the third, leading York on a 21–11 run that pulled the Cardinals within one at 45–44, giving them a strong push heading into the fourth quarter. 
• Aiken then kicked things off in the fourth by finding Beautifull Earth beyond the arc, who drained a three-pointer to give York a 47–45 lead just 55 seconds into the period. 
• Baruch quickly responded with a 9–0 run to take control, moving ahead 54–47 with 7:03 remaining.
• Down the stretch, York cut the deficit to five at 56–51, but the Bearcats closed the game strong, outscoring the Cardinals 12–5 over the final 6:39 to secure a 12-point victory.

Leading the Cardinals

• Finishing with a game-high 24 points, Aiken added 10 rebounds, five steals, and five assists to anchor York's effort.
• Earth contributed an all-around performance with 15 points (5-of-10 FG), 12 rebounds—including six offensive boards—and three steals.
• Chamiya Foy dominated the glass with a team-high 15 rebounds, while also adding five points, five steals, and two blocks.
• Gjeloshi rounded out the stat sheet with six points, five steals, five assists, and a block.

For Baruch

• Kostyal-Larrier led the Bearcats with 21 points, adding five rebounds and four steals.
• Lola Idir contributed 16 points, while Lola De Luka added 10 points.
• Brianna Lopez ran the offense with eight assists, and D'Andre McRae provided a spark off the bench, totaling eight points, 12 rebounds—including six offensive boards—and three steals.

Inside the Box Score 
York shot 29.9 percent (20-of-67) from the field, 13.3 percent (2-of-15) from three-point range, and 66.7 percent (12-of-18) from the free-throw line. Baruch, meanwhile, connected on 36.1 percent (26-of-72) of its shots, 22.7 percent (5-of-22) from beyond the arc, and 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from the charity stripe. The boards were even at 51 apiece, but Baruch capitalized with 13 second-chance points off 18 offensive rebounds. York held a slight edge in steals (20-18) and blocks (3-2), while the Bearcats led in assists (19-12), points in the paint (32-30), and points off turnovers (20-18).

Up Next 
The Cardinals (0-11, 0-6 CUNYAC) return to action Wednesday (Jan. 21) for a CUNYAC home matchup versus the Brooklyn College Bulldogs (13-3, 6-0 CUNYAC) starting at 5 p.m. inside York College Gymnasium. 

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