The Bloodhounds (4-4) led 74-73 with 2:47 left in overtime on a jumper by Ganimete Ukperaj (Bellmore, N.Y./John F. Kennedy), but the Bearcats scored the next six points and finished with a 11-2 run to close out the exciting home victory.
Senior point guard Jody Trapp (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) scored four points in the game-closing run for the team's second consecutive victory.
The game did not start on a positive note for the Bearcats, who missed their first 20 shots in the opening 9:59 of the game. They did record three free throws, but the early slump enabled the Bloodhounds to build a 15-3 lead.
Trapp knocked home the first field goal at 10:01, and that seemed to spark the offense as they shot 9-for-22 the rest of the half to cut the John Jay lead to 27-26 at halftime.
The game was tightly contested the rest of the way, including overtime, until the Bearcats closed out the victory with an 11-2 run.
Trapp led the Bearcats (4-3) with 17 points, while junior center Dominique McClendon (Chicago, IIII./Seaside) posted another double-double with 16 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Senior forward Racquel Reid (Bronx, N.Y./Washington Irving) also posted 16 points, to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. Senior guard Ally Stamatiades (Astoria, N.Y./W.C. Bryant) contributed 11 points.
The Bloodhounds were led by LaShannen Hogue (Yonkers, N.Y./Roosevelt) with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Melissa Escalera (Bronx, N.Y./Stevenson) scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but fouled out with only 16 minutes of action.
The Bearcats will return to action this Thursday with a conference road game in the Bronx against Lehman College. Tip off at The APEX is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.