Both wins are historical: the women’s team won its 7th consecutive championship, and the men’s emerged victorious in double overtime, the first to ever happen at a CUNY Athletic Conference. Both Coaches Marque Poole (Men’s) and Dwight Shaw (Women’s) Received the 2024 Coach of the Year Award.
 

In a thrilling showcase of skill and determination, the 14th nationally-ranked Hostos Community College Women’s Basketball team solidified their reign over the CUNY Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) by securing their 11th championship title, achieving an unprecedented seventh consecutive title defense. For their part, in a nail-biting, historic double overtime marked by 17 ties, the Men’s Basketball team 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.
 
"Seeing the Caimans triumph in such spectacular fashion fills me with immense pride and joy," expressed Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis. "Basketball is not merely a game at Hostos. At our College, this sport is a vital asset that attracts extraordinary student athletes who excel both academically and athletically. This success is indisputable proof of our incredible coaching staff and professionals, whose vast experience spans national and international arenas across many sports. Their dedication and expertise foster an environment where talent thrives, underscoring the holistic excellence we strive for at Hostos."
 
From the women’s team, Jae’oni Davis stood out among four Caimans, scoring in double digits with 14 points, four rebounds, and five steals, earning her the title of Most Valuable Player of the Game. 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. Despite Kingsborough Community College narrowing the gap in the second quarter, Hostos responded with a run of nine unanswered points, boosted by Wilder's scoring, to lead 40-30 at halftime. Carrying this momentum, 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. Their shooting was impressive throughout, with a 51% field goal percentage and a 54% success rate from three-point range. 
 
“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,” said Shaw, who won the Coach of the Year Award for a third straight season.
 
Tyrese Conway starred for the Caimans from the men's team, contributing 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, earning him the championship's Most Valuable Player award. 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 Borough of Manhattan Community College to force overtime with a last-minute jumper. The Caimans rallied each time despite BMCC initially leading in the first overtime and striking first in the second with a 3-pointer. Conway's crucial basket with 34 seconds left in the second overtime, complemented by Evan Douglas-Vasquez's free throw, sealed the Caimans’ victory. Key performances also came from Ebron and Francis Garcia.
 
 “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,” said Poole upon winning and having received the Coach of the Year Award for the fifth time in his career with the Caimans.
 
The teams are set to advance to the 2024 NJCAA Region XV Basketball Championship, which runs from February 27 to March 3.
 

About Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
 
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 for over half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been 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.
 
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.
 
For inquiries, email publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu. 
 
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