2001-2002 CUNY / Con Edison Basketball Championships Women's Final at Hunter College

Hunter Defeats Lehman 54-46 To Win Third CUNYAC Championship In Five Years

The 2002 CUNYAC Women's Basketball Championship was billed as a battle pitting offense against defense. The contest lived up to that billing and more as defense-minded and top-seeded Hunter College (22-6) used the full-court press to create opportunities throughout the game on the way to its third CUNYAC title in five years.

The Hawks opened the game with an 8-2 run as second-seeded Lehman College committed multiple turnovers in the early going. The Lightning battled back tie the contest 23-23 on a putback by freshman center Christina Calderon at the halftime buzzer.

The first half statistics told a horrid tale of woeful shooting as Hunter posted a pitiful .273 (9-33) field goal percentage. Lehman wasn't much better, shooting a scant .300 (9-30) from the floor. The Lightning also struggled from the free throw line in the period with a .375 (3-8) showing. The Hawks hit .800 (4-5) from the charity stripe.

Hunter opened the second half with a 7-0 run to take a 30-23 lead at the 16:36 mark. A jumper by sophomore forward Chanel Kendall at 15:59 was Lehman's first hoop of the period, but the Hawks continued to force turnovers with their defense and went on an 11-0 run over the next six minutes. A jumper by junior forward Jen Rogers extended the lead to 41-27 with 9:15 remaining in the game.

Lehman had a 15-6 run of its own left and started to whittle away at the lead. The Lightning closed the gap to 47-43 with two minutes remaining when freshman guard Monica Semley scored on a lay-up, got fouled, and canned the ensuing free throw. Rogers responded by drilling her third three-pointer of the day 20 seconds later to put Hunter ahead by a 50-43 margin and basically ice the game.

"We were able to control the tempo," said Hunter head coach Jackee Meadow. "Our defense picked up our offense. It makes a real difference when you have a team that works together. When opponents try to shut down one component, the other picks up."

Senior forward Shevon Collins totaled 12 points, six rebounds, and four steals to earn CUNYAC Tournament MVP honors for the Hawks, who won their 15th straight game and 32nd in a row against conference opponents at home. Junior guard Vana Loukissas and Rogers added 11 points apiece while sophomore forward Jen Agosto netted 10 points. Loukissas and junior guard Jezel Rodriguez both grabbed 10 rebounds.

Kendall led Lehman (18-10) with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Sophomore forward Florena Rhodes added 10 points for the Lightning. "Of course it's disappointing," said Lehman head coach Eric Harrison, "But we lost to a very good team."

Joining Collins on the CUNYAC All-Tournament Team were Loukissas, Rodriguez, Lehman senior guard Desirae Ross, and Rhodes. CCNY junior forward Samantha Halpern and Staten Island freshman center Jacclyn Rock also made it. With the win, Hunter earns its second-ever automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Selections are to be announced on Sunday, February 24.