Story courtesy of Rob Palardy, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Lesley University men’s basketball team seemed to be on their way to victory after Jonathan Cruz (HAVERHILL, Mass./Haverhill) was fouled scoring a baseline layup to tie the game and hit his free throw to take the lead with 17 seconds remaining against NECC rival Wheelock College, but Wildcats guard Victory Kashouh (PROVIDENCE, R.I./Classical) tipped in the game-winner to help beat the Lynx 61-58 on Saturday night.

Lesley dropped to 7-13 (4-5 NECC) following the loss while Wheelock improved to 13-8 (6-4 NECC).

Lesley held a lead as large as eight points in the second half, but Wheelock battled back to take a 49-48 lead following a Sherard Robbins (MALDEN, Mass./Malden) lay up with an assist from Kashouh. Robbins, Wheelock’s leading scorer, finished with just nine points but dominated the boards with 11 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.

The Wildcats stretched their newly found lead to five points with 5:06 remaining in the game, but the gritty Lynx clawed their way back into the game to take an eventual lead on the Cruz layup and foul. Cruz came off the bench and finished with nine points.

John Sanchez (CARSON, Calif./Saint John Bosco) and Bryant Itonyo (MEDFORD, Mass./Medford) led Lesley offensively with 14 points each. Sanchez added three assists and two steals while Itonyo did much of his scoring from long range with 4-of-11 made three-point attempts.

Kashouh led Wheelock with 11 points, including the game-winner, and was complemented by Eric Rice (WOBURN, Mass./Woburn) who had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Lesley will be back in action on Thursday, February 11 at home against Elms College for Senior Night starting at 8:00 pm. Wheelock travels to Southern Vermont College on the same day.