BMCC Men, Hostos Women Ranked No. 2 in NJCAA Basketball National Polls
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Dec. 7, 2018) - After impressive starts to their respective seasons, the Borough of Manhattan Community College men's basketball team and Hostos Community College women's basketball team both ranked at No. 2 in the latest NJCAA Division III national polls, released Tuesday. BMCC, which did not crack the NJCAA preseason rankings, has yet to lose a game this season, opening up the year at an undefeated 11-0. The Panthers have hit the century mark for points five times thus far in 2018-19, including an impressive 115-95 win over then-No. 1 ranked Brookdale Community College on Nov. 8. BMCC only trails NJCAA Region XV rival Suffolk County Community College for the top spot in the rankings. The two teams are set to meet twice this season, with the initial showdown on Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. at BMCC Gymnasium in Manhattan. The Panthers' hot start can be attributed to their dynamic offense. As a team, BMCC ranks second in the country in three-point field-goal percentage (.440), third in made three-point field goals per game (11.3), fifth in made free throws per game (19.1), sixth in scoring (97.6) and ninth in field-goal percentage (.518). Additionally, the Panthers have been led by strong play from the backcourt duo of Terrell Fullerton and Quran Dublin. Fullerton, a 2016-17 All-American, paces all of NJCAA Region XV and ranks eighth nationally in scoring at 24.8 points per game. He is also second amongst the nation's leaders in assists (93) and made free throws (73). Dublin, the 2017-18 CUNYAC Player of the Year, is averaging an impressive 22.0 points per game on a startling 62.2 percent (74-of-119) shooting from the field. He has made 47 of his 81 attempts from deep, and boasts a .580 three-point field-goal percentage and a .926 free-throw percentage -- all of which rank in the Top 10 nationally. Meanwhile, the defending national champion and preseason No. 1 ranked Hostos Caimans are off to a stellar 9-2 start. After tipping off the campaign at 1-2, Hostos has reeled off eight consecutive victories, which have come by an overwhelming margin of 48.0 points per game. As a team, the Caimans rank in the Top 10 in NJCAA Division III in 10 different statistical categories. Their most impressive effort has come on the glass, as Hostos leads the nation in rebounds per game (56.2), defensive rebounds per game (35.5) and rebound margin (+30.3). Reigning NJCAA Division III National Player of the Year Kayla Wilson, who is set to begin playing for Division I program St. Bonaventure University next season, is averaging a double-double, scoring 10.5 points and pulling down 12.5 rebounds per game. Her 138 total rebounds are the most in the country thus far. Sophomore guard Skydajah Patterson, the NJCAA Division III National Player of the Week on Nov. 27, leads the Caiman offense with an average of 13.9 points per game. She has scored in double figures in seven of her last eight games and is shooting 55.6 percent (50-of-90) over that stretch. NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball National Poll - Dec. 4 1. Suffolk County 2. BMCC 3. Herkimer 4. Eastfield 5. Hudson Valley 6. Mohawk Valley 7. Bunker Hill 8. Lorain County 9. Bristol 10. Brookdale Also Receiving Votes: St. Cloud Tech, Nassau, Richland, Middlesex County, Rock Valley NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Poll - Dec. 4 1. Northland 2. Hostos 3. Joliet 4. Massasoit 5. Onondaga 6. Brookdale 7. UConn-Avery Point 8. Owens 9. North Country 10. Rock Valley