Chad Coachman led the Hostos (4-1) Men's Basketball Team to victory on Tuesday night in Paterson, NJ by a final score of 70-67 over Passaic CC. Coachman's 26 points (17 in the second half) highlighted another Caimans comeback on the road. With this being the third of five consecutive road games it was the fourth consecutive game where the Caimans came out firing in the second half. Hostos and Passaic were quite evenly matched athletically and even before the game the buzz in the crowd was that this was to be a good one!
Hostos opened up the first half strong. With 3 point shots made by Coachman and
Jeremiah Brown the Caiman's opened up an early 8 point advantage. Passaic fought back but 5 first half points by
Chris Van Buren continued to keep Passaic at bay. As the half moved along, Passaic began to gain control and find their touch from behind the arc knocking down 3 first half 3 point shots to take the lead. For Passaic, Spencer Grayson had 15 points in the half to lead Passaic into the locker room with a 35-33 advantage.
Fast forward to the second half; Passaic was game and did not want to lose at home. They matched baskets with Hostos and with 7 minutes remaining opened up a 9 point lead (48-39). They were led by Jesse Jones and Stephon Francis who together came off the bench to hit three 3 point shots versus the vaunted Hostos defense as each possession came down to the final seconds. Hostos kept plugging away and when down 9,
Chad Coachman buried a 3 point shot to bring Hostos within 6 at 48-42. Another Hostos basket pulled them within 4 at 48-44 until the fourth 3 point shot in the half for Passaic pulled them ahead at 51-44 with less than 5 minutes to go. Hostos kept fighting as
Tyree White attacked the offensive glass and
Maverick Hodge defended full court enabling
Chad Coachman and
Jeremiah Brown to go to work offensively and bring the Caimans back. It was Brown's offensive rebound and basked with under 2 minutes to go that put the Caimans ahead for the first time since midway thru the first half (66-65). After a defensive stop, Coachman added two free throws to put the Caimans further ahead 68-65 but 2 free throws made by Bellamy closed the gap to 68-67. After being fouled, Antione Slaughter finished the game by making two free throws to put the Caimans up 70-67 with 9 seconds left. A corner 3 pt attempt by Passaic bounced off the rim as time expired and the Caimans left Passaic with its fourth consecutive win. Coachman had 26 points, Brown had 13 points, and White had 9 points and 16 rebounds.
Overall, the Caimans are now 4-1 and enter CUNYAC Conference and NJCAA Region 15 play as they continue on the road and head to face their NYC Borough Rivals Kingsborough on 11/29 for an 8pm tip off. Lastly, the Hostos Men's Basketball Program wishes everybody a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday. Let's Go Caimans!
