York College Men Fall Short

(Left) Rodney Bennett gives York College one of two three-pointers against Brooklyn College Dec. 4. Photo Verity Rollins

The York College men's basketball team lost to Brooklyn College, 83-74, in their City University of New York Athletic Conference opener. The Cardinals nearly overcame a 23-point halftime deficit, but fell just short in the end.

The Cardinals struggled in the first half, committing 23 turnovers which the Bridges converted into 23 points. Brooklyn's Daniel Nisbit scored 20 of his 35 points in the first half to lead Brooklyn.

However, York would turn up their play in the second half. With 4:05 remaining, Brooklyn still had a comfortable 71-59 lead until the Cardinals went on a furious rally over the next two minutes and trailed just 75-72 with 1:31 left to play. York got three-pointers from Nahum Verna and Rodney Bennett and a threepoint play by Chris Roberts to highlight a 16-4 run. The Cardinals could not get any closer, however, as several of their key players fouled out down the stretch and the Bridges were able to extend their lead to nine points as time expired.

Roberts and Omari Phipps each scored a team-high 17 points and Marcel Esonwune recorded a doubledouble, scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 boards.