Baruch Captures ECAC Metro Men's Championship

Courtesy of Baruch Athletics

The Baruch Bearcats defeated York College, 93-70, to win the ECAC Metro Championship on Sunday at the neutral site location of SUNY-Old Westbury.

The Bearcats used strong defense in the first half to score 21 points off 13 turnovers by the Cardinals of York College. They also connected on 5-of-13 three-point attempts to cruise to a 41-31 halftime advantage.

During the second half, they continued to build off their momentum and started the second half with an 18-8 run to lead York by the score of 59-39 with 14:33 left.

York (photo middle right) would later make a run to get as close as 81-65 with 5:12 left, but the Bearcats connected on seven of their last nine field goals attempts to complete the 93-70 rout in an ECAC Metro Final featuring two CUNYAC schools.

Overall, Baruch shot 51 percent (35-69), committed only seven turnovers, and out-rebounded York by a 36-32 margin to capture their second-ever ECAC Metro trophy (previous was in 2003).

York shot 44 percent (24-55) from the field, but committed 17 turnovers that in the end led to 25 total points for Baruch.

Junior point guard Lionel Hilaire (photo bottom right) was named the Tournament MVP. He led the  Bearcats this afternoon with 21 points, which included shooting 4-of-6 from three-point range.

Chris Beauchamp and George Kunkel finished with 18 points each. Kunkel also ended his very successful career in a Baruch uniform with six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sean Loftus recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Marcel Esonwune led York with another double-double of 21 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots in 39 minutes of action. Elijah Evelyn scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds.

Nicholas Hamilton-Lopez, who scored 30 points in a York win over Baruch on January 11, was limited to nine total points, including only two in the first half.

York finishes their season with a record of 23-8. Baruch wins eight of their last nine games to end the season with a 23-7 record.

ECAC METRO CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Wednesday, March 3, Quarterfinals (Higher Seeds Host)
#1 SUNY-Old Westbury (21-7) defeated #8 Medgar Evers (13-14), 73-71
#2 NYU (17-9) defeated #7 New Jersey City (13-13), 94-72
#3 York (22-7) defeated #6 St. Joseph's College - Long Island (20-7), 87-58
#5 Baruch (21-7) defeated #4 Stevens (18-9), 75-64

Saturday, March 6, Semifinals (@ SUNY-Old Westbury)
#5 Baruch defeated #1 SUNY-Old Westbury, 88-81
#3 York defeated #2 NYU, 68-61

Sunday, March 7, Final (@ SUNY-Old Westbury)
#5 Baruch defeated #3 York, 93-70