NEW YORK, N.Y. (Feb. 25, 2022) – Emil Pursic produced 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the second-seeded Baruch College Bearcats to a 75-69 overtime victory over top-seeded Lehman College in the finals of the 2022 CUNYAC/HSS Men's Basketball Championship at the Nat Holman Gymnasium at City College of New York. With the victory, the Bearcats earn the league's automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.
Purisic, a Second Team CUNYAC All-Star, turned in a dominant performance in the victory, shooting 90-percent from the field (9-10 FG) and connecting on 5-of-6 free throw attempts. For his performance, he was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Adnan Bajrami, a First Team CUNYAC All-Star, produced 18 points, three rebounds, three steals and a pair of blocks in the win, while
Sean Donnellan added 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. For their efforts, Bajrami and Donnellan were named to the all-tournament team.
In the third meeting between the two squads this season, Baruch won the contest that mattered most, hoisting the legendary Dutch Shoe for the first time since 2019 and fourth time in program history.
The first half of play featured 12 lead changes, as the top two teams in the conference all season long traded blows in the opening frame. Lehman, making its first appearance in the finals since 2018, finished the stanza strong, outscoring Baruch 17-8 over the final 7:55 to take a 39-29 lead into halftime.
The Bearcats stormed back to begin the second half, using a 12-2 run over 3:41 to knot the contest at 41, and took the lead with a jumper from Bajrami.
The two teams continued to claw their way to victory, exchanging field goals into the final minute of regulation. Following a free throw from
Will Feldman to make it a two-point game (64-62) in the final seconds, Baruch came back down on its next possession to tie the contest, thanks to a basket from Purisic. The Lightning had a look at the end but were unable to convert, as the final needed extra time to determine a winner.
In overtime, Baruch scored back-to-back field goals to take a 68-64 lead. Lehman cut the deficit to one with a trio of charity tosses, but back-to-back baskets from
Michael Richards, the 2022 CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award Winner, gave the Bearcats a 72-67 edge with 1:07 remaining. Despite a basket from the Lightning to trim the deficit, Baruch hit free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Lehman's
Gian Batista, the 2022 CUNYAC Player of the Year, turned in a triple-double effort with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, but it wasn't enough to lead the regular season champions to victory.
Isaiah Geathers added 16 points and five rebounds, while Feldman dropped a team-high 17 points.
The Bearcats will learn their First Round NCAA Division III Tournament fate on Monday, February 28, during the tourney Selection Show – stay tuned for details.
2022 CUNYAC/HSS Men's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team
Luka Jakic, Hunter
Quran Dublin, York
Angel Rivera, John Jay
Gian Batista, Lehman
Isaiah Geathers, Lehman
Sean Donnellan, Baruch
Adnan Bajrami, Baruch
Tournament MVP: Emil Purisic, Baruch