After both victories and defeats, Baruch College’s women’s basketball team (9-9, 7-4) will host a playoff game during the revamped CUNY Athletic Conference Tournament.

All seven conference teams qualify this year, with the leading team, Brooklyn College, receiving a bye in the quarterfinals.

Baruch started February strong against York College, winning in Jamaica 69–54 behind Melinda Spahiu’s season-high 31 points. Mia Castillo was just short of a triple-double, having 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

York led in the third quarter until Baruch came back from a 6-point deficit to tie the game. After a layup by Milly Ye with 6 minutes and 49 seconds remaining, the Bearcats would lead the rest of the way.

Back-to-back losses followed against Hunter College and York, both at home.

At The Battle of Lexington, Baruch was outscored in all but one quarter, losing 39–61. This was their worst-offensive performance of the season.

Hunter led by 14 points at halftime, maintaining the lead for their second conference win of the season. Elissa Leung led the Bearcats with a career high 15 points.

The rematch against York on Bearcat Appreciation Night was an opposite tale of their first encounter. Before their final regular season home game, Natalie Ibelhaupt, Valseania Michie, Ye and Spahiu were honored.

The game was close until the third quarter when York scored 13 straight points. Refusing to surrender the lead, Baruch lost 59–77 behind Mac-Dege Dessource’s 43 points, a season high for her.

Baruch then went to the Bronx to play against Lehman College. The Bearcats struggled with offense in the first quarter, scoring only two points, but excelled in the following quarter, outsourcing Lehman 18-6, with 13 points coming off turnovers. However, the away team took the lead, winning 55–39.

The Bearcats will end the regular season in the top half of the standings, although their seed is undecided.

With one game to play against John Jay College, the Bearcats are still in the running for second, third or fourth in the conference if they win. However, it will be a challenge, as Baruch only won by four points at home earlier in the season.

For Baruch to place in the upcoming tournament, its best chance is a matchup against City College and Lehman in lieu of their four consecutive losses to Hunter this season.