In a thrilling showcase of what was described by Hostos Community College representatives as skill and determination, the 14th nationally-ranked, college women’s basketball team solidified their reign over the CUNY Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) tournament, securing their 11th championship title at the weekend and achieving an unprecedented, seventh consecutive title defense.

 

Meanwhile, for their part, in a nail-biting, historic, double overtime game, marked by 17 ties, the college’s men’s basketball team also emerged victorious to secure a second league title in three seasons and their seventh in history. Both triumphs unfolded on Friday, February 16, at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn.

 

The City University of New York Athletic Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association in the United States (NCAA) Division III. Its member institutions are all located in New York City and are campuses of the City University of New York (CUNY).

 

Reacting to news of both teams’ wins, Hostos president, Daisy Cocco De Filippis, said, “This success is indisputable proof of our incredible coaching staff and professionals, whose vast experience spans national and international arenas across many sports. At our College, this sport attracts extraordinary student athletes who excel both academically and athletically.” She added, “Their dedication and expertise foster an environment where talent thrives, underscoring the holistic excellence we strive for at Hostos.”

 

Hostos representatives said from the women’s team, Jae’oni Davis stood out among four Caimans (Hostos) scoring in double digits with 14 points, four rebounds, and five steals, earning her the title of Most Valuable Player of the Game. They said teammates, Arianna Wilder, Demaris Andrews, and Ifeoma Ezike, also contributed significantly, with 14 points each. The Caimans set the tone early, leading 25-18 after the first quarter, thanks to efficient shooting and contributions from Ezike, Wilder, and Davis.

 

Hostos officials said despite opponents, Kingsborough Community College, narrowing the gap in the second quarter, the Caimans responded with a run of nine unanswered points, boosted by Wilder’s scoring, to lead 40-30 at halftime. Carrying this momentum, they said Hostos began the second half with an 11-point streak, including a three-pointer from Andrews, and maintained a comfortable lead that reached up to 20 points. They said the South Bronx college’s shooting was impressive throughout, with a 51% field goal percentage and a 54% success rate from three-point range.

 

Dwight Shaw, who won the Coach of the Year Award for coaching the women’s Hostos team for a third straight season, said, “This means everything for the Hostos community, the Hostos program, and this team. We’re going to continue taking it one game at a time and continue practicing hard for the next two weeks for regionals.”

 

In the men’s team, Hostos officials said Tyrese Conway starred for the Caimans, contributing 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, earning him the championship’s Most Valuable Player award. They said the game reached its climax when trailing by four points late in regulation, Hostos mounted a comeback led by TeAmo Ebron’s six consecutive points, only for the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) to force overtime with a last-minute jumper.

They said the Caimans rallied each time despite BMCC initially leading in the first overtime and striking first in the second with a 3-pointer. They said Conway’s crucial basket with 34 seconds left in the second overtime, complemented by Evan Douglas-Vasquez’s free throw, sealed the Caimans’ victory. They said key performances also came from Ebron and Francis Garcia.

 

Upon winning, and receiving the Coach of the Year Award for the fifth time in his career with the Caimans, Hostos men’s coach, Marque Poole, later said, “Nobody worked harder than us. We deserve this because many of our stories, many of our players’ stories, are different from other people’s. They’re living the dream because they had an opportunity to come and play basketball because they’re in college, and that educational opportunity is special.”

 

The teams are now set to advance to the 2024 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XV Basketball Championship, which runs from February 27 to March 3.

 

Hostos offers 28 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate secure transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. A two-time Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence finalist, the College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 25 colleges.