In a battle for a top seed in the upcoming NJCAA Region 15 tournament, the Hostos Caimans (15-5), earned the 62-57 victory on Tuesday night at the Swamp thanks to their shooting versus rival SUNY Ulster. 

The game started slow for the Caimans as the Senators opened up with a commanding six point lead.  Hostos fought back to go ahead 24-23, but the Senators answered right back.  The Caimans finished with two baskets to take a 28-27 advantage at halftime.  Brandon Stolz had 13 points for the Caimans in the first half. 

Fast forward to the second half. The game became close with both teams fighting for a higher seed in Region 15. With a little over a minute remaining, the Caimans were able to take the largest lead of the night, eight points, but the Senators from Ulster would not go home quietly.  They hit a quick basket to cut the lead to six points, and then forced a turnover on the ensuing possession in which Chris Austin, one of the Top 3 scorers in Region 15 at 21 points per game, was able to drive to the basket, make the shot, and get fouled.  Austin (who was held to a season low 13 points) completed the old fashioned three-point-play to cut the Caiman lead to three with 41 seconds remaining.  Hostos' Jeremiah Brown hit two free throws to put the Caimans ahead by five, but the Senators came right back and scored to cut the lead to three again.  Charles Jackson was then fouled but missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw.  Jackson made up for his miss by taking a charge on the defensive end.  He was fouled again and missed another front end of a one-and-one free throw, but Brandon Stolz, who had come up huge all night for the Caimans, tipped the ball back to Jackson who was fouled hard again. Jackson made both free throws to put the Caimans up five with 12 seconds left.  The Senators turned the ball over, and the Caimans came out with a 62-57 victory to avenge an early season loss to Ulster.  In the last game, the Senators controlled the offensive glass and went to the free throw line consecutive times on the same possession to seal the victory late in the game.  This time lady luck and hard work were on the side of the Hostos Caimans. 

Hostos opened up strong and were in command much of the second half; nevertheless the Senators took their first lead of the half with a little over eight minutes remaining on the strength of Remington Mignott's 20 points (18 in the second half).  Brandon Stolz's three against the Senators zone defense gave Hostos the lead back and Jeremiah Brown's two 3 point shots helped secure the lead for the Caimans late in the game.  Brown finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds.  Stolz had 23 points and 4 important blocked shots, 3 of them against Chris Austin at key moments in the second half.  Charles Jackson finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

This was an important win for the Caimans since both Hostos and Ulster were tied for 3^rd place in the NJCAA Region 15 standings along with Nassau CC and Suffolk CC.  The Caimans remain home and will now face NJCAA Region 15 foe Suffolk Community College on Thursday February 2 for a 7:30 pm tip-off time.  Come early for the season's last regular season home game especially since the team will recognize its Super Sophomores; Gary Anderson, Wendell Appleton, Brian Morrison, Brandon Stolz, and Charles Jackson.