MBB vs Hostos NJCAA Region 15 Semi-Final 2-29-20
89
Bronx Community College BCC-M 14-16
98
Winner Hostos Community College HCC-M 24-6
Bronx Community College BCC-M
14-16
89
Final
98
Hostos Community College HCC-M
24-6
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Bronx Community College BCC-M 34 55 89
Hostos Community College HCC-M 46 52 98

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Broncos season finalizes with 98-89 loss to Hostos in NJCAA Region XV semifinals; Rucker registers 39 points in Bronx finale

Gallery: (2/29/2020) MBB vs Hostos NJCAA Region 15 Semi Final

The Broncos men's basketball team put forth a valiant effort, but ultimately saw its season come to a close on Saturday evening, as Bronx fell to the Caimans of Hostos Community College in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XV Tournament by a score of 98-89. With the defeat, Bronx wrapped up its 2019-2020 campaign at 14-17, while the Caimans improved to 25-6, advancing to tomorrow's championship game against Nassau.

Despite the loss, Tilquan Rucker wrapped-up his stellar Broncos career with one more incredible performance, as he scored a game-high 39 points, drilling six shots from downtown, and 11 of his 12 attempts from the charity stripe. He also snatched six rebounds and registered a game-high five steals. Steven Glover added 18 points, eight boards, and three steals, and Malik Hamilton posted totals of 13 points and five rebounds in his Bronx finale. William Paradise left everything he had on the court, as well, netting 12 points, and leading all players with six assists.

In the victory for Hostos, Reggie Quezada was sensational for the Caimans, scoring a team-high 34 points (14-30 FG) and grabbing six rebounds. He also contributed three steals, as well. Korey Williams netted 16 points while piling four dimes, grabbing three boards, and adding three steals, and Mathew Acosta scored 14 points while grabbing six rebounds. Edwin Takyi finalized his evening with 13 points and seven boards.

Hostos held a 33-18 edge with 6:32 remaining in the opening half, but a 12-2 Broncos run pulled Bronx to within five (35-30) within five. The Caimans would respond by closing the half by scoring 11 of the session's final 15 points to take a 46-34 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

In the second half, the Caimans held a 71-63 lead with 9:04 remaining, but Bronx used a 7-0 run to pull to within one (71-70) with 7:42 left. That aforementioned run included a pair of converted freebees by Hamilton, a triple by Hamilton, and two converted free throws from Rucker. Hostos eventually built its lead back to seven at 89-82 with 2:48 remaining, but five straight points by the Broncos made at 89-87.

Perhaps the moment Bronx's season ended was with 2:01 left, when Rucker would pick up his fifth foul. For the final 121 seconds of regulation, the Broncos didn't convert on a field goal, and were outscored 9-2 as the Caimans won the game by nine.

The Broncos shot a respectable 43.5 percent from the floor (27-62), while Hostos converted on 47.4 percent of its opportunities (37-78). The Caimans dominated on the glass, snatching 49 rebounds compare to 31 for Bronx. Hostos turned the basketball over just 13 times while forcing 19 Broncos miscues, and the Caimans piled 15 assists, while Bronx had seven. The Broncos were remarkable from the line, nailing 27 of their 31 attempts from the charity stripe (87.1 percent), while Hostos hit 19 of 27 (70.4 percent).

Although Bronx fell short of CUNYAC and NJCAA Region XV titles, the team still accomplished plenty this season. Sophomore Tilquan Rucker was selected as the CUNYAC Player of the Year, and an NJCAA Region XV Division III First Team All-Star, and Malik Hamilton was tabbed as a CUNYAC All-Conference Player, and an NJCAA Region XV Division III Second Team All-Star. Steven Glover earned CUNYAC All-Conference status, and William Paradise earned a spot on the NJCAA Region XV Division III Sportsmanship team. The team won six of its eight CUNYAC regular season contests, while also turning back BMCC in the CUNYAC semifinals. In addition, the Broncos downed Monroe-Bronx in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Region XV Tournament. Rucker eclipsed 1,600 points for his Broncos career, while Hamilton surpassed 1,050. The Broncos also improved their overall win total for the second year in a row, and increased their wins from 2018-2019 to this year by 64 percent (nine last season to 14 during the 2019-2020 campaign).

As for Hostos, the Caimans, who are fresh off capturing their first CUNYAC title in five years, will now have a chance to also solidify the NJCAA Region XV championship, if they are able to defeat the Lions tomorrow. The two teams met once in the regular season, with Hostos earning a 97-89 in Garden City, NY back on December 3.
 
Print Friendly Version