Box Score

Bayside, New York | The BMCC men's basketball team rallied from down as many as 10 points in the second half, but came up short against CUNYAC opponent Queensborough Community College, 86-82, on Tuesday Night. With the loss, the Panthers fall to 2-3 (1-1 CUNYAC), while the Tigers improve to 5-2 (1-0 CUNYAC). 

Four Panthers scored in double-figures, as Terrance McBride (Brooklyn, New York) led the pack with 18 points on the evening to go along with a team-best two assists. Freshman Elvys Ceballos (New York City, New York) recorded his first double-double of the season, registering 17 points and corralling a team-high 11 rebounds and two steals. Classmates Shakeem Reid (Brooklyn, New York) and Malik Bentinck (Queens, New York) both contributed 17 points and 13 points, respectively, and both missed out on a double-double with nine rebounds.

The first half was neck and neck, as there were a total of 15 lead changes and the score was tied five separate times. After both teams were tied at 9, BMCC went on a 10-4 run to build a six-point lead, 19-13, their largest lead of game on a jumper by Ceballos at the 10:54 mark. Queensborough then put together a 7-0 run of their own and retook the lead, 21-20, off a steal and lay-in at 9:16 on a fast break, before Reid threw down a dunk in similar fashion at 8:55, putting the Panthers back in front 21-20.

After the Tigers scored the next four points to take a 24-21 lead, BMCC would construct a 7-0 run to retake the lead 28-24, on a Damonie Askew (Brooklyn, New York) three-pointer at 5:54, before Queensborough used back to back layups at 5:38 and 4:29 to even it up at 28. After a pair of Panther free-throws from William Brown (Brooklyn, New York) and Reid helped them grab back the lead 32-28, the Tigers would outscore them down the stretch 9-4 --including the go-ahead bucket with 20 seconds remaining-- to lead by one, 37-36, at halftime.

Queensborough built leads of three and four early in the second half before BMCC went on a 7-1 run to tie it up at 45 on a McBride layup at 15:39 and retook the lead 47-45 on a Reid dunk at 14:57. After six different lead changes over the next 3:16, BMCC would extend their lead to five, 58-53, after a three-point play from Bentinck at 11:41 and a Reid three-pointer at 11:20, before the Tigers built their lead to 11, 77-66, their biggest of the night after outscored the Panthers 24-7 over the next five and half minutes.

BMCC put together a ferocious effort down the stretch outscoring Queensborough 16-7 for 4:12 late in the second half to get within two twice, 83-81 at 1:38, and 84-82 at 1:16, on five straight points from McBride (three-pointer and two made free throws). Brown had an opportunity to win it with a three-pointer for the Panthers with 38 seconds left, but the Tigers would grab the next two rebounds, including one on the offensive glass, and drained two free throws to hold off the Panthers 86-82.

Queensborough Community College had two players with 20-point performances, with sophomore guard Mark Blair posting a double-double with a game-high 26 points and 13 rebounds, while tying a team-best in steals with six. Freshman combo guard Tyrese Apple dropped 21 points in the contest and snatched six steals, tying a team-high. Apple also just missed out on a double-double with nine rebounds on the night. Classmate Julio Wallace chipped in with 14 points while dishing out a team-high four assists.

Notables: 

• Terrance McBride (Brooklyn, New York) and Shakeem Reid (Brooklyn, New York) has scored in double figures in all five contests this season.
• Malik Bentinck (Queens, New York) and Elvys Ceballos (New York City, New York) has four double-digit scoring performances in five games this year, with Ceballos recording his third straight game and Bentinck his second straight contest in double-figures.
• BMCC has outrebounded their opponents in three straight games, while Ceballos recorded a new career-high with 11 rebounds and is the fourth player to record a double-digit rebound performance

The Panthers return home for their next two contests beginning will on Thursday, Nov. 21, against Regional opponent Monroe College (Bronx). The opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m at BMCC Gymnasium. For more information, please visit the BMCC Men's Basketball Schedule Page.