Aimetti Enables CSI To Defeat Arch-Rival Hunter

The Staten Island Dolphins captured their second consecutive CUNYAC/Con Edison Women's basketball championship and earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament with an 83-70 victory over Hunter at CCNY's Nat Holman Gymnasium. The victory for Staten Island (20-7 overall) marked their fifth in CUNY Tournament history, as the Dolphins added to their previous titles won in 1983, 1991, 1997, and 2000.

"We've been focusing on the championship the entire year and we've been fortunate to have great leadership from Courtney (Aimetti) and April (Nelson) all season, "said CSI head coach Marguerite Gualtieri. "This team has grown and our freshmen are not playing like freshmen any more. They're ready for the next step."

Staten Island led by as many as nine in the first half when senior center Courtney Aimetti's (Staten Island, NY) put back opened up a 28-19 lead with 15:43 remaining in the half. The Hawks ended the first half an 8-2 run in closing the gap to only 34-30 at the break.

Hunter (18-9 overall) opened up a 43-38 lead early in the second half when freshman guard Jen Agosto (Brooklyn, NY) nailed a three-pointer with 13:32 remaining in regulation. Following five lead changes and six ties, the Dolphins used a decisive 10-0 run to open up a 64-51 lead with 6:07 remaining, highlighted by three Keisha Cook (Staten Island, NY) field goals. CSI would lead by as many as 16 down the stretch, holding on for their second consecutive CUNYAC title.

Staten Island senior center Courtney Aimetti earned Tournament MVP honors by posting a double-double with game-high totals of 21 points and 24 rebounds. Keisha Cook would earn All-Tournament honors after posting a double-double of her own with 19 points and 15 rebounds, while freshman guard Pam Barone (Staten Island, NY) would add 16 points in the victory.

"Winning this year is even better than last year," said Tournament MVP Aimetti. "Beating Hunter for the championship makes it even sweeter because they're our toughest rival and they're proven to be a great team over the course of my four years."

Hunter was led by the 14-point effort of junior forward Shevon Collins (Brooklyn, NY). Jen Agosto would add 12 points for the Hawks, while sophomore center Bridget Evers (Brooklyn, NY) led Hunter with nine rebounds in defeat.

"Our loss tonight can be attributed to a combination of CSI shooting well, our poor free throw shooting and our letting them have too many easy baskets in transition," Hunter head coach Jackee Meadow said. "They're great competitors and you have to give them credit for coming out and taking us out of our game."

By TERRY SMALL