York Beats Lehman In CUNYAC Quarterfinals

Marcel Esonwune leads York College men's basketball team to a victory. Photo Verity Rollins

Marcel Esonwune recorded a careerhigh 23 points and 19 rebounds to lead the York College men's basketball team to a narrow, 59-54, victory over Lehman College in the CUNY Athletic Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon, February 16. After leading for most of the game, York escaped a late push by the Lightning to hold on for the win. A lay-up by Jonathan Winns with: 59 seconds remaining led to a four-point play that helped the Cardinals escape with the victory.

The Cardinals (18-7) led by as many as 12 points in the second half but saw their lead shrunk to just one point, 53-52 with 1:44 to play. With 2:41 to play and York holding a six-point lead, Lehman's Xavier Garvin sunk two free-throws to cut the lead to four points. Alain De La Cruz then stole the ball in the backcourt for an easy lay-up. Lehman (11-15) then forced a turnover and drew a foul. Jameson Garcia hit two more free throws for Lehman to make the score 53-52 in favor of York.

However, two possessions later, Winns sliced through two defenders, connected on lay-up and drew a foul to give the Cardinals a 55-52 advantage. After Winns missed the free throw, York's Chris Roberts grabbed the rebound and put in an easy lay-up to give the Cardinals a, more comfortable, 57-52 lead with: 58 seconds remaining. In the final minute, York's defense held up and they went on to win 59-54.

"I told the team during a time-out, that they were playing scared," York Head Coach Ronald St. John said. "I said just go out there and have fun. Just play the game. Right after that was when Jonathan [Winns] came through for us."

In the first half, Lehman held the lead for the first 10 minutes of the game. A three-pointer by Garvin gave the Lightning an 18-14 advantage. At the 9:32 mark, a lay-up by Esonwune tied the game at 18- 18. York then controlled the remainder of the first half and took a 10-point lead into the locker room.

Lehman's Duane Rhoden recorded a double-double, netting a game-high 23 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds. Garvin added 11 for Lehman, while Nicholas Watson had ten. Roberts put together another solid game for the Cardinals, scoring 16 points and grabbing ten rebounds. Omari Phipps also added 11 points and nine boards for the Cardinals. In addition, Esonwune added four blocks and a steal in addition to his 23 points and 19 rebounds.

"Marcel was phenomenal," added St. John. "If there was a game ball to give, he would have gotten it. Every time we needed a play, he came through."

York was scheduled to face the winner of Hunter College and Baruch College on Tuesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. on the campus of City College.