The Bearcats (16-3, 8-0 CUNYAC) led comfortably throughout, including holding a several double-digit leads during the first half, but the Cougars went on a furious late rally to take a one-point lead of 74-73 on a jumper by Thomas Armstrong (Brooklyn, N.Y./Transit Tech) with 3:24 remaining.
The Bearcats responded with a 8-0 run to take an 81-74 lead with 24 seconds left, while limiting the Cougars offense to only two points in the final three minutes of the game.
Seniors Cheick Fadika (Abidjan, Ivory Coast/Petit) and Louie Karis (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) each had a jumper and two free throws during the game-clinching run.
Karis finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Fadika had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds. Robi Davidson (Tel Aviv, Israel/Beverly Hills) scored 16 points and connected on 4-of-8 three-pointers.
Travis Kennedy (Brooklyn, N.Y./Westinghouse) led the visiting Cougars (5-12, 2-6 CUNYAC) with 25 points and eight rebounds.
The Bearcats will return to action this Monday with a highly-anticipated non-conference match up against the Pioneers of William Paterson University from the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
The game is one of those exciting late-season games with significant strength-of-schedule implications.
The Pioneers currently own a 12-3 overall record and 7-2 mark in the N.J.A.C. standings through Saturday afternoon.
Tip off in the ARC Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.