Staten Island, NY | The top two teams in the CUNYAC clashed tonight at The Tank and finished with the Dolphins coming out on top, 74-49, giving Baruch College their first CUNYAC loss of the season. The win boost’s the Dolphins to 11-6, 7-1 and increases their win streak to 9 in a row. The loss for the Bearcats snaps a six-game win streak and drops them down to 13-4, 7-1 on the year.
Adeola Latunji and Christian Taylor teamed up to scored 45 of CSI’s 74 points. Taylor led the charge with 23 points and six rebounds while Latunji collected his sixth double-double of the season with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Once again the pair proved to be too much for the Bearcat defense that has held their opponents to under 60 points during their win streak. Not to go unnoticed, CSI’s defense held the undefeated Bearcats to a season-low 49 points and 28% shooting from the floor.
The Dolphins had full control of the game from the tip, jumping out to a 9-2 lead thanks to five quick points by Stephen Flagg. Chamald Martin also got in on the scoring action, banking one off of the glass for an easy pair. Martin finished the game with 6 points, 9 rebounds, and a pair of blocks as he disrupted every attempt inside the paint. Staten Island never trailed in this contest and by the 10-minute mark, already had a double-digit lead.
Up 19-11 the Dolphins went on an 8-0 run lead by Latunji who scored six straight points. Latunji had space all over the court tonight and was able to pull up or wiggle his way to the hoop at will.
Despite the good start, the Dolphins cooled off towards the end of the first half which allowed the Bearcats to climb back into the game. Over the final four minutes, Baruch would score 9 straight points and cut the lead down to seven. It looked as if the Bearcats would head into the half down 7 and with the momentum until Taylor cashed in on a turnaround jumper at the buzzer.
Staten Island built off of that momentum and quickly brought their lead back up to double digits, and this time, the wouldn’t allow Baruch to bring it back down. Halfway through the second half, both teams went cold as there was a 2-minute span in which neither team could score. Andre Harris of Baruch would break the lull with a free throw, however, Martin would answer with a jumper at the other end.
Rigaud Destime came alive towards the end of the game and made shifty passes to his teammates for easy shots which helped elevate CSI’s lead. With the game in hand, the Dolphins slowed down their fast-paced play as they let the clock drift to zero.
Up next for the Dolphins are the Beavers from CCNY on Saturday, January 19 at 3:00 pm at The Tank.
GAME VIDEO
