The top-seeded Hostos Community College men's basketball team are CUNYAC Champions again, defeating second-seeded Queensborough, 76-63, on Friday night to win the 2022 CUNYAC/HSS Community College Men's Basketball Championship.
The two teams exchanged baskets throughout much of the first half (17-15), until a 16-4 run from the Caimans over the final 9:32 of the period gave them a 39-28 advantage at intermission. Hostos shot 38.5-percent from three-point range in the frame, while limiting the Tigers to just one made basket from downtown. In the second half, Hostos maintained a double-digit lead, but Queensborough did not go away, chipping away at the margin with a 13-5 spurt to cut the deficit to single digits with (63-56) with 6:26 remaining in regulation.
Ashaunte Manuel
led the Caimans with 10 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block shot, while shooting a perfect 6-for-6 at the charity stripe. For his efforts, the CUNYAC All-Star was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Queensborough, making its first appearance in the finals since 2013, were led by a stellar effort from CUNYAC Player of the Year,
Khari Ojeda-Harvey. The sophomore guard left it all out on the court for the Tigers, scoring a game-high 34 points while adding five rebounds and three steals. Harvey averaged a whopping 30 points throughout the championship tournament. In addition, CUNYAC All-Star
Rohan Singh added 10 points and six boards in the losing effort. For their efforts in the two tournament games, Ojeda-Harvey and freshman
Preston Harts were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
Queensborough will now turn its attention to the NJCAA Division III Region XV Championship Tournament, scheduled to begin on Feb. 22 versus an opponent yet to be determined.
2022 CUNYAC Community College Men's Basketball All-Tournament Team
Tournament MVP: Ashaunte Manuel, Hostos
Marquise Paulin, Hostos
Khari Ojeda-Harvey, Queensborough
Preston Harts, Queensborough
Enmanuel Garcia, Bronx
Neilon Bridgeman, Kingsborough
BOX SCORE
#GoTigers
