Brooklyn College Men’s Basketball Team Upends Baruch, 76-67, to Capture CUNYAC Championship

By Jerry Del Priore

The fifth-seeded Brooklyn College Men’s basketball team was dead set on taking home the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) championship crown, especially after losing to Baruch last year.

This time the Bulldogs played with a vengeance, refusing to be denied, as they defeated the No. 5 Bearcats, 76-67, at the City College of New York Friday night in the CUNYAC title game.

It was Brooklyn College’s first title since the 2009-2010 campaign.

Senior 6’ 4” forward Lorenzo Williams, who drained a game-high 25 points, aided by 4-8 from beyond the arc, scored his 1000th career point with the Bulldogs. For his overall impressive performance, CUNYAC named the Canarsie resident Tournament MVP.

Senior captain Jamel Gist capped off an exceptional tournament  with 17 points, six assists, no turnovers, and four steals of his own. Senior swingman Egzon Gjonbalaj registered the contest’s only double-double, finishing with 13 points and 17 rebounds.

Second-year head coach Rich Micallef picked up his first championship at the helm for the Bulldogs.

The victory earned Brooklyn College an automatic bid in the Division III NCAA Tournament beginning March 3-4, against an unknown opponent, which D-III tournament officials will announce tomorrow.