The Hostos Caimans (13-5) stepped outside of NJCAA Region 15 competition and down the NJ Turnpike to play the Dukes of Cumberland Community College on Saturday afternoon.  After an impressive Cumberland win against Sussex Community College earlier in the week, the Caimans, were well prepared to face the re-designed roster of the Dukes.  With a re-designed starting lineup of the Caimans own, they started the game with a 20-4 run over the first 6:33 minutes and never looked back.  They went into the halftime locker room with a 43-20 lead.  In the first half, the Caimans shot a blistering 76% from the field and 50% from behind the arc.  Brandon Stolz (Bronx, NY), led the charge with 10 first half points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals.  Charles Jackson (Bronx, NY) had 15 points and Maverick Hodge (Bronx, NY) had 7 points.
               
Much like the first half, the Caimans, started the second half on a surge.  They began with a 12-5 run to take a 55-25 lead with 16:54 remaining in the half and pushed the lead to as many as 36 points.  The Dukes were led by Jermaine Dunkins with 19 points but it was the stifling defense on him and teammate Jimmy Willis that helped secure the road victory for the Caimans.  Everybody played for the Caimans with Stolz finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 steals.  Jackson had 29 points and 9 rebounds and Hodge had 13 points.  Rahlek Smith (Brooklyn, NY) finished with 9 points and Daquaan Adderley (Manhattan, NY) added 8 points for the Hostos Caimans.
             
With this win for the Caimans (13-5) they have now bested the 12 wins from last season's team and guarantee themselves a winning record for the regular season.  The rebuilding effort both academically and athletically is becoming a trend for first year Head Coach Jody King, Ph.D.  With the assistance of Coach Kelley the two did the same at NCAA SUNY Maritime College in their first year rebuilding a 4 win team to 13 wins in just months.  Now at Hostos, with the assistance of Coach Branch and Coach Abbott the program is gearing up for a great finish!
               
The Caimans now return home this Thursday for a contest against NJCAA Region 15 rival Borough Manhattan Community College (BMCC) for an 8pm tip off time.  Hostos beat BMCC earlier in the season by a score of 63-55.  What was a highly competitive contest, BMCC took a 6 point lead into the half but the Caimans fought back to get the win.