Men’s Volleyball Beats Pratt
By Owen Russell
The men’s volleyball team continues to roll, winning their only match of the week on Feb. 7 against the Pratt Institute.
Brooklyn took Pratt to task, sweeping them handily. The Bulldogs chewed up the Cannoneers, winning three straight sets (25-11, 25-16, 25-20). Pratt stood no chance as they failed to keep up with Brooklyn in any category. The Bulldogs scored more kills, assists, aces, blocks, and digs than the Cannoneers. Junior Zhao Ming Li anchored the Bulldogs’ attack, scoring eight kills and three aces. Sophomore Shung Huei Zhu tallied 23 assists, helping spur Brooklyn’s offense.
Men’s Basketball Finally Wins!
By Owen Russell
Stop the presses! After pummeling the Purple Hawks, men’s basketball earned their first win in over a month this week. Brooklyn earned a victory though they still lost their two other contests this week. However, the win against Hunter underscores a much-needed confidence boost for the Bulldogs.
Brooklyn floundered against Lehman, losing their eighth straight game on Feb. 4. The Bulldogs continue to show flashes of brilliance, this time leading by six at halftime. Things looked promising for Brooklyn with one half left to play, but nothing comes easy. For the umpteenth time this season, Brooklyn fumbled an early lead. Lehman blasted the Bulldogs in the second half, rallying from behind and securing a comfortable lead by the buzzer. The Lightning zapped Brooklyn, winning 86-78. Senior Kayin Olajide scored 25 points, leading the Bulldogs once again in scoring.
Wednesday, Feb. 8, marked Brooklyn’s most impressive and necessary win this season. The Bulldogs blasted Hunter with an impressive scoring onslaught. After scoring 40 points in the first half, despite some shaky shooting, Brooklyn broke free. The Bulldogs scored 59 points after halftime, giving them their highest point total all season and winning the contest 99-83. How did Brooklyn manage such magnitude? It wasn’t pretty.
Brooklyn played a physical game that saw them shoot 25 free throws in the second half (33 overall). Brooklyn made 85% of their chances, allowing them to bury their opponents from the stripe. Such an impressive team performance merited similarly impressive individual stat lines. Junior guard Malik Dale dropped a whopping 41 points in 37 minutes, including seven three-pointers. Senior forward Elisha Park scored 29 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. Brooklyn evidently poured their hearts into this win, crushing a tough opponent in the process.
Coming off the momentum from their first victory in 32 days, Brooklyn seemed poised for another big win on Feb. 10 against CCNY. The Bulldogs traded blows with the Beavers, keeping the score close during the first half. Brooklyn’s scrappy offense kept them in the game, shooting 51% from the field. Did their defense help reel it back in? Unfortunately no. Brooklyn allowed CCNY to pull ahead in the second half. Despite a positive shooting night, the Bulldogs could not find their fifth win. Elisha Park proved to be Brooklyn’s highest scorer, dropping 28 after recording a perfect night from the free throw line (9-9).
Women’s Basketball Racks Up Wins
By Owen Russell
Will the Bulldogs ever stop winning? Hopefully not. Brooklyn went undefeated this week, trouncing three tough teams in the process.
Brooklyn scored their 10th straight win this season on Feb. 4 against Lehman College. The Bulldogs continue to prove their supremacy over the CUNYAC. Against Lehman, the Bulldogs started slow out the gate. Brooklyn allowed Lehman to take a three-point lead after the first quarter, but the Bulldogs didn’t budge. Brooklyn opened up the scoring, dropping 26 in the second quarter and 25 in the third. The Lightning couldn’t catch up. Brooklyn was crowned victorious by double-digits yet again, 81-69. Senior Gianna Gotti earns another double-double, scoring 23 points and swiping 10 steals.
The Bulldogs’ 11th straight dub came on Feb. 8 against Hunter College. The Bulldogs grounded the Purple Hawks, holding them to 63 points overall and just eight points in the pivotal fourth quarter. Up to that point, the game had been neck and neck. Brooklyn held a marginal lead at the end of the third quarter. With their winning streak on the line, the Bulldogs buckled down defensively. With a little more than seven minutes left, Brooklyn led by just one point, but their staunch defense and potent offense shut down any hope for a Hunter comeback. The Bulldogs won 73-63. Gianna Gotti once again led Brooklyn in scoring with 23 while helping facilitate too. Gotti dished nine assists, helping set up her teammates.
Win number 12 in a row came on Feb.10 against CCNY. The Beavers never stood a chance. Brooklyn’s ironclad defense clamped City College, allowing merely 35 points, including just one point in the fourth quarter. To boot, Brooklyn allowed no room for a comeback, scoring 85 points. The Beavers’ defense was porous. Brooklyn scored 40 points in the paint. Senior guard Ericka James scored 26 points, including six buckets from behind the arch.