BROOKLYN, New York ------ Faced with the grueling task of having to go up against the same opponent three times and beat them, the Brooklyn College men's basketball team found themselves in another tight battle with the City College of New York Beavers. Both previous games had come down to the wire, a difference of six and two points respectively, indicating that the Bulldogs' first home playoff game in six years was going to be a classic. This game would be no different, living up to every expectation from the numerous spectators to those keeping up with it outside of the venue. For the first time since 2020, where they made that magical run in the playoffs to win it all, the number four seeded Bulldogs would advance to the CUNYAC Semifinals after defeating the number five seeded CCNY Beavers in another tight game by the minimum difference of 55-53 in the First Round of the tournament.

The Brooklyn College Bulldogs (13-13) continue their amazing season, advancing in the CUNYAC tournament with all the momentum, while the City College of New York Beavers (10-11) end their season giving it all on the road.

How It Happened

Brooklyn would set the tone very early on, starting off on a 5-0 run and further extending their lead with another 6-0 run after CCNY tried to get back in the game, outscoring their opponent 13-4 with 13:03 left in the first half. After CCNY responded with a dunk off a rebound, Malik Dale would hit a quick three-point shot off a fastbreak off a pass by McGill to get and and-one extending the lead 16-6.

With the Bulldogs up 26-16 after trading baskets back and forth, the Beavers would make a run of their own, closing the gap with an 8-0 run with 2:05 to go in the first half. Both sides would go scoreless, before a shot from Brendan Armour would help take a 28-24 lead into halftime.

Clinging onto a small lead, Armour would create some form of separation once again with 17:48 to go, but CCNY would take their first lead of the game, outscoring Brooklyn 9-2 in the process to take a 38-34 lead with 10:40 left.

The Beavers would hold on to a 40-38 lead with 9:07 to go, but the Bulldogs would begin to build momentum that would be fueled by Jaden Casanova off the bench, scoring the next six points to start an 8-0 run to retake the lead 46-40 with 6:45 to go. That lead would be short lived, as the Beavers climbed back into it to tie it for the fourth time in the game with 5:08 left.

Brooklyn would go on a 9-2 run that would propel them 55-48 with 0:31 to go in the game. Despite CCNY scoring back-to-back buckets to bring it close, Brooklyn would hold on to inbound the ball with less than two seconds to go, secure it, and celebrate a 55-53 victory to happily move on in the CUNYAC Playoffs.

For the Bulldogs

• Brendan Armour would lead the way in three categories, scoring 16 points, 3 steals, and 1 block.
• Malik Dale would be right behind him with 14 points while shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
• Jaden Casanova would tack on 11 points off the bench. 

Up next, the Brooklyn College men's basketball team will go on the road to face off against #1 Baruch College Bearcats on Tuesday, February 25th at 7:30pm