BOX SCORE
NEW YORK, N.Y. (Feb. 23, 2023) – For a third straight season, Brooklyn College is CUNYAC Women’s Basketball Champions! The top-seeded Bulldogs held off No. 2 John Jay, 64-58, to win their fourth title in five seasons and earn the league’s automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship.
In a rematch of last season’s championship game, the Bulldogs persevered to hoist the infamous Gary Smith Trophy for a fifth time in program history. The victory also marks the third straight season that Brooklyn went unbeaten (14-0) against CUNYAC opponents, extending its win streak against CUNYAC opposition to 46 games, including postseason play.
"It was a great team win tonight, lots of big plays from our seniors all night,” said Alex Lang, the 2023 CUNYAC Coach of the Year. “I am extremely proud of the entire team. Winning our third straight title and fourth in five seasons is a tribute to who has been a part of our program - players, coaches, and staff. It's been such a fun season, thanks to everyone from Brooklyn, our fans, and of course our team."
Gianna Gotti, the 2023 CUNYAC Player of the Year, was named the championship’s Most Valuable Player. The senior dropped a game-high 26 points to go along with eight rebounds, six assists and six steals in the victory.
"This season as a whole has been an amazing experience,” said Gotti. “We worked so hard to get to where we are and earned this win. Being named MVP is an incredible honor and I couldn't have done it without my teammates by my side every step of the way."
Gianna Gotti - 2023 CUNYAC/Healthfirst Women's Basketball Championship Most Valuable Player
After the Bloodhounds scored the game's opening bucket, the Bulldogs responded with an 8-0 keyed by five straight points scored by Gotti, including a three-point make to kick things off. John Jay closed out the first quarter with an 8-0 run to tie the contest, 10-10. Brooklyn got it going in the second quarter, leading by as much as eight in the frame to take a 28-22 advantage into intermission.
Brooklyn scored the first nine points of the second half to build up a 37-23 lead. The Bloodhounds chipped away at the deficit, getting within six (37-31) with 6:06 remaining in the period. The Bulldogs built their advantage back up to double figures, capped off by a pair of free throws from Gotti to give Brooklyn a 54-43 lead going into the final quarter.
Controlling the pace to start the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs looked to be in cruise control with a 60-46 lead with a tick under six minutes to play in regulation. John Jay didn't throw in the towel, going on a 10-0 run to cut the BC lead down to 60-46 with just under three minutes to play. Clinging to a 62-58 lead, the Bulldogs made three key defensive stops before
Ericka James iced the contest with two made free-throws with eight seconds to go.
James, a CUNYAC First Team All-Star, finished with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists, while
Nancy Pham produced 10 points, three assists and three steals.
John Jay’s
Katie Healy, a 2023 CUNYAC First Team All-Star, finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Cheyenne Kelly produced 14 points and three rebounds, while CUNYAC Second Team All-Stars
Bobbi Green and
Kamryn Hammond finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The 2023 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, February 27 at 2:30 p.m.
2022-23 CUNYAC/Healthfirst Women’s Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team
Championship Game MVP: Gianna Gotti, Brooklyn
Sarah James, Brooklyn
Ericka James, Brooklyn
Katie Healy, John Jay
Ashley Zeolla, John Jay
Mac-Dege Dessources, York
Alexa Charles, Hunter