Baruch Defeats Brockport State (64-58) in Defensive Battle, Joshua Vital Leads With 17pts

The Baruch College Bearcats finished the game with a 27-12 run to defeat The College at Brockport, 64-58, in a non-conference game played on Tuesday evening in the ARC Arena.

The Bearcats improved their overall record to 2-1, while Brockport suffers their season-opening loss.

The Bearcats struggled early and shot only 25 percent (8-32) to enter the halftime trailing by the score of 31-27. The second half did not begin any better as Brockport jumped out to a nine point (46-37) lead with 13:10 left.

The Bearcats rallied with a 12-2 run to take over the lead at 49-48 with 7:13 left. Fuat Yaparand Franklin Garciastarted the rally with a layup each, while Rob Goldsteincontributed a pair of free throws and a layup during the game-changing run.

The two teams battled and were later tied at 50 with exactly 6:00 left, but the Bearcats ended the game by scoring 14 of the last 22 points to walk off with the home opener win.

Defense played a major factor in the low scoring game with Brockport only hitting three of their last 11 shot attempts throughout the final six minutes.

Joshua Vitalled the Bearcats this evening with 17 points and six rebounds. Yapar finished with an all-around effort of 14 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Edward Roscignocontributed seven points and two assists off the bench.

The Bearcats scored 20 points off 21 turnovers by Brockport.

Lance Legister led the visitors from the Rochester region and SUNY Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) with 20 points.

Baruch will return to action and begin their CUNYAC schedule on Tuesday, November 27, with a 7:00 pm contest at rival Hunter College.