BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Feb. 17, 2023) – The nationally-ranked Hostos Community College Caimans are conference champions once again, knocking off BMCC, 71-44, to secure the 2023 CUNYAC/Healthfirst Community College Women’s Basketball Championship at Kingsborough Community College.
The No. 9 Caimans led wire-to-wire, turning in a dominant performance to earn their league-best 10
th conference championship. The win tied them with BMCC (1998-03) for most consecutive CUNYAC titles in league history.
Savannah Williams was named the championship’s Most Valuable Player. The sophomore from White Plains, New York finished with a season-high 29 points to go along with 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Savannah Williams (Hostos) - 2023 CUNYAC Community College Women's Basketball Championsip MVP
Hostos outscored the Panthers 17-7 in the opening quarter, scoring the last five points of the period. In the second quarter, the Caimans stifled BMCC in the second quarter, generating seven steals to hold the Panthers to just six points, as Hostos held a 43-16 lead at halftime.
The Caimans led by as much as 36 in the second half, putting the game out of reach to retain conference bragging rights for a sixth consecutive campaign.
CUNYAC Player of the Year
Aiyana Hicks finished with seven points and 15 rebounds along with three assists and three steals.
Fatoumata Diaby, the 2023 CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award Winner, finished with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in the win.
Zaire Bailey produced a double-double in the victory, finishing with 10 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
BMCC’s
Demaris Andrews, the 2023 CUNYAC Rookie of the Year, finished with a team-high 17 points to go along with 11 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season.
Emily Kennedy produced a double-double of her own with 15 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Hostos will now turn its attention to the NJCAA Region XV Tournament (Feb 28 – Nov. 5), where the Caimans look to claim their fifth title in six seasons.
2023 CUNYAC/Healthfirst Community College Women’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Championship Game MVP: Savannah Williams, Hostos
Aiyana Hicks, Hostos
Lanasia Drain, Hostos
Demaris Andrews, BMCC
Emily Kennedy, BMCC
Nayla Walters, Queensborough
Celine Hodge, Kingsborough