Men’s Basketball Wins One Match, Drops Five
By Owen Russell
January has been a rough month for the Bulldogs. Through six games this month, Brooklyn has gone 1-5, bringing their season total to 3-14. With a little less than a month left to play, can the Bulldogs turn their luck around and save their season?
Brooklyn’s lone victory of the month came on the road against Medgar Evers College on Jan. 6. The Bulldogs cruised past their intra-borough rival for a double-digit win. After trading leads early in the first half, Brooklyn pulled away, securing a 69-56 victory. Four Bulldogs scored double digits, led by senior guard Kaylin Olajide who dropped 17. Behind Olajide were forward Elisha Park (16), guard Serge Thraysbule (12), and guard Franz Depra (10). The scoring outburst by four of Brooklyn’s starters propelled them to their third win of the season.
While the Jan. 6 victory against Medgar Evers proved exciting, it was not a sign of what was to come. After that game, Brooklyn dropped four straight, all against CUNYAC rivals. Baruch, Hunter, CCNY, and York all notched wins against the Bulldogs. Of those four losses, Brooklyn’s closest contest came on Jan. 13 against Hunter.
The game could not have started less auspiciously for the Bulldogs. The Purple Hawks opened the game with an 11-point run, leaving Brooklyn in a pit to start the game. Brooklyn failed to recover in the first half. By the time halftime sounded, Brooklyn trailed 58-35. Though seemingly down for the count, Brooklyn showed grit, battling back in the second half. With 1:55 left to go, Brooklyn had cut the lead down to just one. Despite their valiant effort, the Bulldogs could not seal the deal, and Hunter seized the opportunity. As the final buzzer buzzed, Hunter claimed the victory, 75-71. Although Brooklyn came up short in the end, the Bulldogs showed incredible fortitude to battle back from such an insurmountable early deficit.
Brooklyn will hope to reignite their winning ways on Tuesday, Jan. 24, when they face Medgar Evers in a rematch of their Jan. 6 showdown.
Women’s Basketball Keeps Up Winning Streak
By Owen Russell
The women’s basketball team could not have played any better this past month. The Bulldogs have been perfect in January, winning six straight CUNYAC competitions. During the winning streak, Brooklyn toppled John Jay, Medgar Evers, Baruch, Hunter, CCNY, and York. Those six wins place the Bulldogs firmly atop the CUNYAC with a perfect 7-0 conference record.
Perhaps the most illuminating victory came on Jan. 18 against CCNY. The Bulldogs traveled to Nat Holman Gymnasium for a showdown with the Beavers. While the Beavers were hoping to upset the reigning CUNYAC champion, the Bulldogs had different plans. From the jump, the game was all Brooklyn. The Bulldogs poured on the points early, scoring 39 in the first half while holding CCNY to only four points.
The blowout didn’t stop there.
Brooklyn continued to throttle the Beavers. As the teams took their halftime break, the score was 61-12. CCNY never recovered, and Brooklyn put up 105 points for their first triple-digit score of the season. The Beavers mustered 44 points, scoring less than half of Brooklyn’s total. Senior guard Gianna Gotti powered Brooklyn’s scoring surge, securing 32 points on 17 shots. She also swiped 12 steals, notching an impressively unique double-double.
On the flip side, Brooklyn’s closest brush with defeat came on Jan. 20 against York College. The Bulldogs marched into Friday’s meeting confident as ever. Dating back to 2011, the Bulldogs have won their past 25 matchups against York. With history on their side, Brooklyn hoped to continue their winning ways, but York came ready for a fight. The Cardinals held Brooklyn’s normally potent offense to a one-point lead in the first quarter and seized that lead by halftime, leading the Bulldogs 36-32.
Trailing by four, with two quarters to go, Brooklyn needed to step up. The third quarter did not start their way. York went on a scoring run and pulled ahead 12 points. Facing their first CUNYAC loss of the season, Brooklyn refused to buckle. The Bulldogs strapped down and locked up York for the rest of the quarter, cutting the lead down to just two points. Everything rested on the fourth quarter. Brooklyn and Yorked traded baskets, and with 3:59 remaining, the two teams found themselves tied at 61. The Cardinals hit a quick three-pointer to take the lead, but from there it was all Brooklyn. The Bulldogs chopped York’s lead and eventually took full control. As the buzzer sounded, Brooklyn was crowned victorious, 69-64.
During their six-game winning streak, thus far, Brooklyn has proved they can win in multiple ways. Whether it be by blasting their opponents with scoring assaults or eeking nail-biters. The Bulldogs have proven versatile. As the season marches on, Brooklyn hopes to continue their winning ways. Their next opportunity comes on Jan. 24 against Medgar Evers.
Men’s Swimming Earns Three Wins, Two Loses
By Owen Russell
The men’s swimming team spent January winning three of their five swim meets. Brooklyn beat Lehman, Bard, and York College while losing to SUNY Purchase and Baruch along the way.
Brooklyn’s strongest performance came on Jan. 14 when the Bulldogs squared off against Bard and York in the BC Bulldogs tri-meet. Facing off against two programs, the Bulldogs swam their way to a double victory behind some big performances. Senior Christian Hoyek anchored the Bulldogs, winning two separate events. In the 50 meter freestyle, Hoyek won with a time of 23.9. Then in the 100 meter freestyle, Hoyek swam a 54.04. Helping Hoyek secure the victory was senior Ronaldo Barrios, who secured a close victory in the 100 yard breaststroke, with a time of 1:13.
Brooklyn will look forward to the CUNYAC Championships beginning on Jan. 27.
Women’s Swimming Trails Behind
By Owen Russell
The women’s swim team had a busy January which included seven meets. Of those seven, the Bulldogs won two and lost five. With a 2-8 record on the season, how will Brooklyn fare heading into the CUNYAC Championships?
Brooklyn’s most impressive victory of the month came against Lehman College in a CUNYAC matchup. Junior Julie Huang proved to be Brooklyn’s most valuable swimmer. In the 100 meter backstroke, Huang finished with an impressive 1:16, nearly a minute faster than the second place finisher. Then, in the 100 meter breaststroke, Huang earned another first place finish, with a time of 1:22 seconds, nine seconds faster than the competitor from Lehman. Behind Huang’s strong performances, the Bulldogs pulled out a convincing victory.
Brooklyn’s recent outing, against Baruch on Jan. 18, was not so convincing. The Bulldogs suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Baruch Bearcats. Baruch won 103-67. While the Bulldogs were unable to secure a team victory, senior Anastasia Kutuzova earned two individual victories. Kutuzova won the 100 meter freestyle by less than a second with a time of 59:63. She also won the 200 IM and the 100 meter breaststroke.
The Bulldogs are focused on the CUNYAC championships, which begins on Jan. 27. Can they turn their individual success into team success?