Box Score BROOKLYN, N.Y. – A nearly flawless first half helped the Medgar Evers men's basketball team jump out ahead, and would hold on to defeat Brooklyn College, 89-72, as part of the "Battle for Bedford Avenue" Friday night in front of a raucous crowd at the Cougars Cave.

The win extended the Cougars' (12-12, 9-6 CUNYAC) season-best win streak to five straight games, and into a tie for fourth place in the CUNYAC with Baruch College with just one game left in the regular season.

Medgar Evers got 32 points from the CUNYAC's leading scorer, senior Matthew Lee (Bloomfield, N.J.), in the victory. He also grabbed six rebounds with five steals and two assists. Maurice Swaby II (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added 16 points, while Markus Kearney Jr. (Brooklyn, N.Y.) fell one point shy of a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds off the bench.

Egzon Gjonbalaj led the way for the Bulldogs with 24 points, including five three-pointers, and nine rebounds in a losing effort. Jemel Gist poured in 15 points, while Dillon Williams added nine points with five assists and six boards.

The first half saw the Cougars jump out of the gate with a double-digit lead, as Lee tallied 21 of his points in the stanza. The team led wire-to-wire and only committed three turnovers in the half, while shooting 45.7% from the field. Medgar Evers held one of the top offenses in the conference to just 35.3% shooting as they took a 50-34 lead into intermission.

After building a 21-point advantage early in the second half, the Bulldogs would cut the deficit to single digits a few times with just minutes to play. However, the Cougars would make their free throws late to secure the win.

There is just one game left in the regular season for Medgar Evers when they face off with CUNYAC opponent CCNY Tuesday night at the Cougars Cave as part of a doubleheader with the women's game. Tip time is set for 8:00 p.m. Follow MECAthletics.com, MEC Athletics on Facebook and @MECCougars on Twitter for updates, stats and game recaps.