By Owen Russell
Women’s Basketball Season Ends
By Owen Russell
The Brooklyn College women’s basketball team ended their historic season this past Saturday after being eliminated from the NCAA Div. III National Tournament.
Brooklyn started the week, and the tournament, with a first-round matchup against Emmanuel College on Mar. 4. The Emmanuel College Saints came into Friday’s game evenly matched with Brooklyn’s Bulldogs. Both teams ran the table in their respective conferences, finishing with flawless conference records.
As the first quarter tipped off, the two teams were neck and neck. Heading into the second quarter, the score was 18-17 in favor of the Bulldogs. The rest of the game proved to be just as close, and in the end, the score had changed 12 times. However, off the efforts of a superb fourth quarter, the Bulldogs won the game 70-57. Friday’s win was the first time in program history that Brooklyn advanced past the first round of the NCAA tournament.
How did the Bulldogs do it? Well, much like the rest of their wins this season, Brooklyn was led by star forward Chanel Jemmott, who dominated the game. She finished with 30 points and 22 rebounds.
Brooklyn’s second game of the week came on Saturday, Mar. 5, against the nationally-ranked Pioneers from Smith College. From the jump, it was clear that it was not Brooklyn’s night. Smith poured on 20 points in the first quarter, and only allowed nine from the Bulldogs. Brooklyn battled back, showing life in the second quarter, but they did not catch up to the Pioneers. Finishing the game out with a 25-12 final quarter, the Pioneers defeated the Bulldogs and brought an end to their historic season. In her last game as a Bulldog, Chanel Jemmott scored 22 points, punctuating an incredible collegiate career.
The Bulldogs had their best season to date after missing over a year of play due to the pandemic. Not only did they sweep the CUNYAC, but they also earned their first-ever NCAA tournament victory. Fans will be waiting with anticipation for next season to see if the Bulldogs can do it all over again.
Men’s Volleyball Grabs First Win After Six Losses
By Owen Russell
The Bulldogs’ week consisted of two CUNYAC matchups – their first conference matchups in nearly two years. On Mar. 3, the Bulldogs squared off against Baruch. The Bearcats made quick work of the Bulldogs, sweeping them in three straight sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-13). It was the second straight sweep and fifth straight loss for the Bulldogs. Though being led in practically every category, Junior Darren Roach was able to manage seven kills against the strong Baruch team.
Saturday, Mar. 5 saw Brooklyn in conference play again, this time hosting Lehman College. Desperately needing to avoid a sixth straight loss, the Bulldogs came out firing. Brooklyn won the first two sets (25-17, 25-21) behind a strong team effort. Hoping to close out the match in three, the Bulldogs battled down to the wire with Lehman in the third set but were unable to secure a sweep. Lehman won the third set 27-25.
With the Lightning building momentum, Brooklyn hunkered down and put an end to any possible comeback, winning the final set 25-21. Sophomore Admir Cekic did his best to help Brooklyn secure the win, serving four aces and earning 39 assists. The win against Lehman ended Brooklyn’s five-game skid and secured the Bulldogs’ first CUNYAC win of the season.
From here on out, it is only CUNYAC games for the rest of the year. Brooklyn will look to improve their conference standings against York College on Tuesday, Mar. 8.
Men’s Tennis Returns to Brooklyn
By Owen Russell
Men’s tennis is back in Brooklyn for the first time in over 1,000 days. The Bulldogs opened their season on the road against Albertus Magnus College last Saturday, Mar. 5 in New Haven, Connecticut.
It’s fair to say that Saturday’s return, however, was not the outcome Brooklyn was hoping for. The team was swept across all eight matches in their first contest since 2019. Both the doubles and singles competitors were held winless by the Albertus Falcons.
Brooklyn will hope to bounce back in their first home game of the season set on Mar. 10 against SUNY Purchase.