Bronx, NY --- The Brooklyn College Men's Basketball team defeated the Lightning of Lehman College, 85-78, on Friday night at the Apex at Lehman in a City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) match up. The Bulldogs have now swept the season series against the Lightning, as BC defeated Lehman, 62-58, back on January 5th.

The win is BC's third straight as the Bulldogs improve to 8-12 overall on the season and an even 6-6 in the CUNYAC. The win also clinches a playoff berth for Brooklyn in the eight-team conference championship, set to begin on Sunday, February 17th with the Quarterfinals Round at the highest seeds. BC also maintains its current fourth place position in the CUNYAC standings. The top four teams host the quarterfinals round.

Lehman falls to 7-14 overall on the year and 2-10 in conference play.

The first half featured three lead changes and one tie.

The Lightning took an early eight-point lead, 16-8, their largest of the opening half, with 13:53 left before the halftime break. The Bulldogs would battle back and turn the tables by using a 20-4 run to take an eight-point advantage of their own, 28-20, with 5:50 remaining in the half.

However, the Lightning would head in the locker room with all the momentum, as Lehman closed out the half on a 13-2 run to take a 33-30 halftime advantage.

Brooklyn would come out of the locker room on fire to begin the second half, as the Bulldogs scored the first 13 points to take a 10-point lead, 43-33, with 17:19 on the clock. Egzon Gjonbalaj fueled the run scoring 11 of the 13 points, including nailing three key three-pointers.

The Lightning would be unable to recover from BC's run, as the Bulldogs never trailed in the game again. Brooklyn would lead by as many as 15, 57-42, following a pair of free throws from Steven Grant, with 11:59 remaining in the game.

Brooklyn would keep Lehman at arm's length throughout the rest of the game, as BC would go on to earn a hard fought 85-78 victory.

For Brooklyn, Gjonbalaj led all scorers with 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the field, including going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, to go along with five steals and two blocks. Kavon Baker added 23 points, while Grant finished with 13 points coming off the bench. Jeffrey Noel chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Abdul Lanlokun grabbed nine rebounds. Shayne Martinez had a near triple-double, with nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Ryan Alvarado led Lehman with a team-high 15 points, while Driton Hasangjekaj and Stanley Stephens both finished with 14 points each. Erasmo Soto added 11 points, while Kelvin Gil chipped in with 10 points.

Brooklyn won the battle of the glass out-rebounding Lehman 39-31.

For the game, BC shot a solid 51.9% (28-54) from the field, but struggled from downtown going just 4-for-15 (26.7%) from three. The Bulldogs also shot 61.0% (25-41) from the free throw line.

Lehman shot 42.1% (24-57) from the field and 38.5% (10-26) from three. The Lightning also shot 80.0% (20-25) from the charity stripe.

Up next for Brooklyn will be the Bearcats of Baruch College, who currently sit in first place in the CUNYAC. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm at the West Quad Center on Monday, February 4th.