New Rochelle -- In a game between two teams that split the regular season series by single digits, Hostos and Ulster had to use all 40 minutes to decide the outcome of the 1st round in the NJCAA Region 15 Tournament in the Monroe Athletic Complex (MAC) in New Roc City.
With six lead changes in the last four minutes (the most since the beginning of the game), fans sat in suspense with time winding down. Ulster regained the lead by one thanks to freshman point guard (#14) Christopher Austin's floater in the lane with 26.2 seconds remaining. On the other end, sophomore (#21) Brandon Stolz was fouled with 5.9 seconds but came up short at the charity stripe, and Ulster grabbed the defensive rebound. After two quick Hostos fouls, Austin missed a free throw and Stolz snatched the board and connected to point guard Maverick Hodge who passed to a streaking Charles Jackson downcourt. A First Team All-Region 15 selection, Charles saw the ball go in-and-out of the rim as time ended, and the Caimans fell short, 63-62. Jackson finished with 16 points and shot 45% from the floor.
Hostos went into halftime with a three point advantage over the Ulster Senators as Stolz and (#22) Jeremiah Brown each led the Caimans with 12 points apiece. Also, Hostos cleaned up defensively and forced Ulster turnovers and ended up at the free throw line ten times. For the Senators, Austin finished with a game-high 21 points.
FINAL BOX SCORE:
http://www.monroecollegemustangs.com/documents/2012/3/2/Ulster_v_Hostos_3_2_2012.pdf?id=317
Although the season comes to an end for both Hostos programs, numerous strides were made as the Men's Basketball team accumulated its best record in six years, the Women's Basketball squad tripled its win total from last season and made the Region 15 Tournament for the first time in four years.
Hostos Community College would like to thank everyone for a fantastic season, including fans who came to any games, and looks forward to great things to come with Hostos Hoops!
PHOTOS From Region 15 Game vs. Ulster:
http://www.robsnappypics.com/Basketball/NJCAA-Region-15-Championship/NJCAA-Region-15-Championship2/21744781_jhF4sP#!i=1733512191&k=pkRZLsL
