Men's Basketball 1/31/2015 5:15:00 PM By Andrew Capitelli (BMCC Sports Information)

BMCC Sweeps Saturday CUNYAC Doubleheader with Hostos

Kristen Merrell’s triple-double propelled the women, Elijah Bryant had 16 for the #6 men

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Follow BMCC Athletics
Facebook
Twitter

NEW YORK, NY| The Borough of Manhattan Community College women's and #6 men's basketball teams swept a CUNY Athletic Conference doubleheader with Hostos Community College on Saturday afternoon in Manhattan. The women cruised to a 73-50 victory to claim their fourth win in five games, while the men won a nail biter 68-67.

The women jumped out to an early 9-2 lead only to be matched by a 8-0 Hostos run to put the guests ahead 10-9 early. BMCC would score 11 of the next 15 points to build an eight point lead at 9:17. By 1:58, the Lady Panthers expanded their lead to 16 points (34-18) before coasting into halftime up 38-22.

More of the same in the second half, as BMCC took a 21-point lead at 9:00 (57-36) and eventually held leads as large as 24 points. In the end it was the hosts who claimed the unquestionable 73-50 victory.

Freshman Kristen Merrell scored 15 points and added 17 rebounds and 12 steals to record her second triple-double of the season. The Staten Island native scored 38 and added 13 rebounds and 10 steals against Bergen Community College on November 4.

Ashley Duplan and Alexis Hart each factored in with 16 points apiece, with the latter also collecting 12 rebounds.

Center Kwana Brunson scored 10 and grabbed six boards.

BMCC was the superior shooting side holding an 38.2%-26.9% edge from the floor. In addition, the Lady Panthers outscored the Caimans off turnovers (27-7) as well as on the break (14-4).

The men too jumped out to a first half lead that saw them safely into halftime up 29-21, as they took advantage of Hostos' excessive fouling and poor shooting from the floor.

BMCC would build their lead out to 14 at 18:20, but Hostos would not go quietly. In fact, the Caimans would go on a 20-6 run to tie the game at 41 at the 10:45 mark before eventually taking an eight-point lead (56-48) with 5:40.

The Panthers needed a push back a got it via a few clutch three-pointers by Joseph Ojo and Elijah Bryant. But it was Justin Manon who sunk the biggest shot of the game at 1:02 when he scored three to cut the Hostos lead to one (67-66).

The guests failed to answer on the next possession and eventually fouled Kenneth Coar with 11 seconds remaining. Coar, with the game in his hands, sank both free throws and the Panthers held on to win 68-67.

Bryant (4-7 from three) had a team-high 16 points, and Ojo contributed 15 of his own, but Coar stole the show with 14 points and a season-best 19 boards in addition to draining the winning tallies.

Hostos struggled with fouls from the outset, collecting 23 compared to BMCC's 15. Despite the loss, Hostos generated 30 turnovers and out-scored BMCC 33-14 in points resulting off giveaways. The Caimans also controlled the paint, outscoring the Panthers 34-20, but BMCC shot 52.9% from three and it proved to be the difference.

Tuesday, February 3 is senior night at BMCC and the Panthers will welcome Bronx Community College to Manhattan to celebrate sophomores Alexis Hart, Joseph Ojo, Justin Manon, Akeem Williams, Kelvin Plickett, Elijah Bryant and Lowell Stevens. The women will play at 5:30 PM and the men at 7:30 PM. Join us ahead of both matches for pre-game ceremonies.

As always, check back on BMCCAthletics.com for the latest news and developments surrounding the BMCC Panthers. Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @BMCCAthletics for up-to-the-minute stories and in-game updates.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#34 Kwana Brunson: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

#25 Kristen Merrell: G/F; 5' 6"; Freshman

#22 Ashley Duplan: G; 5' 6"; Freshman

#21 Alexis Hart: F; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#3 Elijah Bryant: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#44 Kenneth Coar: F; 6' 6"; Freshman

#10 Justin Manon: G; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#32 Lowell Stevens: F; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#33 Akeem Williams: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#11 Joseph Ojo: G; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#34 Kwana Brunson
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F

#25 Kristen Merrell
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: G/F

#22 Ashley Duplan
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: G

#21 Alexis Hart
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: F

#3 Elijah Bryant
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#44 Kenneth Coar
: 6' 6"; Freshman
: F

#10 Justin Manon
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: G

#32 Lowell Stevens
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: F

#33 Akeem Williams
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#11 Joseph Ojo
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G