For the first time in six years, the Eugenio María de Hostos Community College men’s basketball team has won the CUNY Conference Championship (CUNYAC). On Friday, February 21, the Caimans defeated the three-time defending conference champion Bronx Community College Broncos in the title game, 78-72, running their record to 25-4 overall.
Finishing the game with 15 points and seven rebounds, Caiman sophomore Tyree White was named CUNY Conference/Con Edison Tournament MVP. Rashaan Bailey also won a spot on the All-Tournament Team with his stellar play, scoring 12 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and blocking four shots.
Dehaina Bailey had 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, and Jabar Jefferson had 12 points and eight rebounds. Jerrel Meriwether rounded out the Caimans’ scoring, adding 14 points.
This was the first CUNYAC Championship for Hostos since 2007-08. It also marks the culmination of a great run that saw the Caimans finishing 10-0 in the conference and capturing the regular season title as well.
For their accomplishments, Dr. Jody King was named CUNY Coach of the Year for the second straight season, Tyree White was Player of the Year, and Dehaina Bailey and Taron Pascal were honored as well.
At 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, the Caimans will open play as the No. 3 seed in the Region XV Tournament at Suffolk Community College in Selden, Long Island. There they will face a familiar rival in CUNY Conference member Kingsborough Community College. When the two teams last met on February 4, Hostos beat Kingsborough 85-61. Tickets are $6 per game or $15 for the weekend pass.
The Caimans won the National Title in 2005. The team is currently ranked No. 6 in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll. Now they must win three straight games to take the Region XV Tournament and advance to the National Tournament.
Follow www.hostosathletics.com for further information about the Region XV Tournament.
About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique "Student Success Coaching Unit" provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.
Hostos offers 29 associate degree programs and five certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to CUNY’s four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. 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 The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges.