It was a tight, intense and physical game as third-seeded Brooklyn College defeated top-seeded Hunter College 59–54 to win the Bulldogs’ fifth consecutive City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNY AC) title and a return trip to the Division III NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. They did it on their opponent’s home turf, the Hunter Sportsplex.
Former Bulldogs head coach Alex Lang, now associate director of athletics, enjoyed the action with his sons from the bleachers, but was still fully invested in the outcome. “Obviously, I take a lot of pride in watching them,” Lang said.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better effort,” said Brooklyn head coach Megan Campbell. “We had a lot of setbacks this season due to injury, but we showed up when it really mattered … Alex really helped establish an amazing program. It’s something I was a part of (as an assistant coach). Taking over as the head coach was a lot of pressure, but I’m just glad I’m making everybody proud.”
MVP Dior Dorsey contributed 15 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Her mother was in the stands cheering throughout the game. That support is a great motivator. What sustained her momentum throughout the close game was the confidence she had in her team.
“I know my strongest suit is my defensive ability, so if I see a ball on the floor, I’m diving on it,” said Dorsey, a junior guard. “We faced a lot of adversity earlier in the season, but I never had a doubt in my mind. With my team behind me, we can do anything … Even when I feel like I don’t have enough to give, I see everybody else working and it makes me want to keep giving.”
This championship game was deeply emotional for Brooklyn’s starting point guard, graduate student Alina Estrella, who has already begun her career as a social studies teacher at her alma mater, James Madison High School. This win meant her competitive basketball playing days aren’t over yet.
“When I was on the line for the National Anthem, I just kept thinking about my whole basketball career; I’ve been playing since I was in second grade,” said Estrella. “I knew I was going to bring my team to the championship and I know all my teammates thought that too.”