86-72 Win Over Brooklyn Puts York's Cardinals In 1st Place

Freshman Omari Phipps had a strong showing with 18 points and seven rebounds. Photo Verity Rollins

Aaron Wilson scored a game-high 27 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the York College Men's basketball team to an 86-72 victory over Brooklyn College on Saturday. With the win, the Cardinals avenged a loss to Brooklyn earlier in the season and moved into a first-place tie in the CUNYAC South Division with idle Staten Island

The first half was filled with big runs on both sides. The Cardinals already had a 12-point advantage just 7:32 into the game when a three-pointer by Wilson gave York a 22-10 lead. However, Brooklyn (14-5, 7-3 CUNYAC) followed with a 13-0 run and took a 23-22 lead with 6:03 to play in the half. The Cardinals then followed with a 10-0 run to take a 32-23 lead before Brooklyn responded once again, cutting the Cardinals' lead to 34-33 at halftime.

However in the second half, York took control of the game for good. With the Cardinals still holding on to a narrow lead, 43-41, a lay-up by Marcel Esonwune and back-to-back three-pointers by Wilson quickly gave York a 10-point cushion, 51-41 with 14:19 to play.

York never looked back from that point. With 3:31 to play and the game already in hand, a lay-up by Michael Salamanca gave York their biggest lead of the game, 74-59.

The freshman duo of Omari Phipps and Esonwune continued their strong play. Phipps finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Esonwune netted 14 points and had eight rebounds. Chris Roberts added 13 points and nine rebounds to pace York. Salamanca also dished out 11 assists for the second straight game.

York (14-6, 7-2 CUNYAC) has now won five straight games. The Cardinals will return to action on Wednesday, January 30, when they visit Hunter College at 7 p.m.