NEW YORK, NY - The No. 2 seed City College men's basketball team advanced to its first CUNYAC Championship game in over a decade on its 73-71 buzzer beating win over No. 3 Lehman College in semifinal round action at the Nat Holman Gymnasium. Seniors Mark Richards, David Solano, and Khalil Hamer combined for 56 points to lead the Beavers Wednesday night.
"I'd like to take credit for drawing it up, but the guys improvised a great play and we got the ball in the hands of our best shooter," said CCNY Head Coach Tom Green when asked about the final play of the game. "It's one of those games that it's a shame anyone had to lose because both teams played so well."
Richards ended with a double-double, scoring 24 points and pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds. He shot and 8-for-12 from the free throw. Hamer posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists. Solano added 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting with four three-pointers. Robbie Dionisio added nine points and seven rebounds and Junior Brendan Hauser posted six points and five rebounds for the Lavender & Black.
The game started out with fast pace offense. CCNY had the hot hand early in the game, hitting three three-pointer in the opening ten minutes of the game to take a 17-11.
The Beavers lead extended to 21-16 on a basket from Brendan Hauser with 9:08 remaining, but the Lightning would answer back. A trey from Lehman's Jean Marcial ended a 15-3 scoring run to take a 31-24 lead in the game with 5:56 left in the first half.
The Beavers sparked an 11-3 run of their own, largely due to Mark Richards play around the rim that gave CCNY a one point lead (35-34).
Lehman's Luis Hernandez would knock down a deep three that gave the Lightning a 39-36 lead heading into halftime.
With under 10 minutes in the second half, Lehman's lead jumped out to double digits. A layup from Mylo Mitchell helped give his team an 11 point lead (61-50).
But CCNY wouldn't be down for long. Senior Mark Richards would pull the Beavers back into the game, making his presence felt in the paint and at the free throw line.
The beavers cut the lead down to one (63-62) with 5:40 remaining in the game. A steal and fast break basket by Brendan Hauser put the Beavers up 64-63.
With 1:31 to play, the Beavers had a 69-68 lead. But foul's would allow Lehman convert three-of-four from the line on their last two possessions. CCNY trailed Lehman 71-69 with 9.7 seconds left in the game.
Mark Richards would draw a foul and head to the free throw line with a chance to tie the game with 4.7 seconds on the clock. Richards was good on his first shot, but the second clanged off the back iron and out of bounds off Lehman with 2.7 seconds left.
The Beavers would have one more opportunity. David Solano came off a screen and drained a buzzer beater three to seal the win.
CCNY faces No. 1 Staten Island in the CUNYAC Championship game Friday at 8:30 pm on ESPN3. This marks the first time since 2003 the men's basketball program will play in the championship game.
