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The CUNYAC women’s basketball semifinals took place at Kingsborough Community College as the top four seeded teams battled for the CUNYAC title.

#1 Queensborough 74, #4 Hostos 58 -  Box Score

The first competition started with the top seeded Lady Tigers facing the fourth seeded Hostos Caimans. Early on, the Tigers had all but one of their starters on the board. For the Tigers, Khandija Carrol and Shatana Kanhoye would lead the way scoring eight of the Tigers first 21 points, while former athlete of the week, Mecca Norfleet took charge by scoring half of the Caimans first fourteen points.

Scoring multiple times for Hostos was Melsha Messam, who, along with Norfleet, combined for 22 of the teams first 26 points. The Caimans beyond-the-arc shooting helped them compete with the Tigers relentless defense and other players stepped up their play to keep the lead close. But as Hostos answered with points, QCC turned to their hot-handed guard Kanhoye to get maintain their early lead.

The first half ended with the Caimans down by ten, scoring 32 points to KCC’s 42. Messam scored 12 of the teams 32 points, dished two assists, and grabbed six rebounds in just fourteen minutes of play. The Tigers’ Carroll lead the way with 14 first half points and 8 rebounds. At the close of half the Tigers grabbed a total of 17 rebounds, while the Caimans bested them with 27 of their own.

Turnovers and fouls proved to be the story for both teams in the first few minutes of second half action. Norfleet and Messam would again put the Caimans on their back as they muscled their way into the paint and got the line as often as possible. The Tigers’ Carroll instantly answered using her height to win rebound battles in the paint, leading QCC’s individual points with a total of 20 points.

As Norfleet’s offense for Hostos waned, Messam’s second opportunity points increased, as she had a total of 20 points with under 10 minutes left of play. A half court outlet to Messam would bring the Caimans to within 7 with under 8 minutes to play. At the 7:03 minute mark, QCC’s Tigers still nursing a 7 point lead and 8 fouls, had to contend with a defiant Hostos club, which would not quit even as the clock seemed to be against them at.

As QCC’s Kanhoye answered with a three with over five minutes of play left, Messam answered with an impressive charge, sending her to the free throw line with 5:44 left of regulation to play. With just four minutes left of play a three ball by QCC’s Gonzalez would help to put the team up by 12. At the 2:27 mark, the game turned into a track meet as both teams sprinted up and down the court to add to their point totals, but the Caimans first half rebounding became the Tigers second half strength as they grabbed ball after ball, scoring much needed second half points.

QCC’s Tigers move on to championship play on Friday with a final score of 74 to 58.

“It was a very good win considering, we got into early foul trouble. We weathered the storm and hung on. We did all the little things. We needed to win this game,” said QCC’s head coach David Chambers.

It a was great way to open up semifinal play, but “the game came down to who wanted it more,” added Assistant Tigers Head Coach Teresa Rodriguez. Rodriguez believes if her squad plays to its full potential it could win the tournament.

These final sentiments were echoed by one the games most dominant performers, #34 Khandija Carroll, whose 24 points and 21 rebounds lead her team to its 16 point victory. Carroll was named the Modells Player of the Game for her efforts.

“It was awesome”, said Carroll of her double double and team win. “We played hard and fought for it. We lost to them last year. We just came in and took it”, added the Carroll.

#3 Bronx 65, #2 LaGuardia 57 - Box Score

The semifinal nightcap between the number two seeded LaGuardia Community College Redhawks and number three seeded Bronx Community College Broncos marked a historic event. The contest was the first postseason game in Redhawks history.

Things looked hopeful for LaGuardia after the first half, with freshman Chyna Lennox scoring 14 points out of the teams 33 total points. Emily Arias netted 9 for the Redhawks and Kristen Deer tallied 8 of her own.

The Redhawks led the Broncos 33-25 at half with 29 total rebounds and 6 steals.

The Broncos second half was stellar, scoring a total of 40 points to upset the higher-seeded Redhawks 65-57. They tallied 63 rebounds, 16 steals and went 26-85 from the floor.

Freshman Hivelize Escobar scored a total of 19 points in the second half to total 19 points and 16 rebounds. She was awarded Modell’s Player of Game for her efforts.

“We wanted to win this,” said Escobar. “We really, really wanted to win this.”

Although Escobar’s double-double and dominance on the court stood-out, head coach Pete Cepeda believed the victory was determined as a team.

“It was a team effort,” said Cepeda. “Everyone chipped in.”

On Friday, the Queensborough Tigers will face the Bronx Broncos in the Championship Final at Kingsborough Community College, set to tip-off at 6pm.