Kiara Johnson exploded for a season-high 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting to lead the second-seed women's basketball team to an 87-54 CUNYAC quarterfinal playoff victory over seventh-seed CCNY on Sunday afternoon in the ARC Arena.
The Bearcats (19-7) finished shooting 41.6 percent (32-for-77) and used stingy defense to limit the visiting Beavers to just 28.6 percent (18-for-63) shooting to advance to the semifinal round on Wednesday night, February 26, at 8:00 pm versus Brooklyn College.
For a complete tournament schedule and today's other quarterfinal results, please scroll to the bottom of this story.
The visiting Beavers took the opening lead of the game on a jumper by Karissa Core, but the Bearcats never trailed the rest of the way. They scored 30 points off 28 turnovers and led by double-digits throughout the contest.
Bria Fisher did start the second half with a jumper to help get the Beavers as close as 41-27, but the Bearcats scored the next six points en route to the tournament victory.
For her efforts, Kiara Johnson was named the CUNYAC Player of the Game.
"This is my senior year and my last championship tournament," said Johnson. "I want to help my team in every way possible and I am glad my shooting helped our team advance to the next round."
The victory improves the Bearcats to 19-7.
"We played great defense this afternoon," said Head Coach Machli Joseph. "This week is the most important week of the season and we need to be ready on both ends of the court."
Bria Fisher led the Beavers (10-16) with 20 points, 12 rebounds and five steals.
Please note that tickets to the CUNYAC semifinals are free, but fans must register in advance for tickets at www.CUNYAthletics.com/tickets.
Sunday, February 23rd-Women's Quarterfinals (Higher Seeds)
#1 Staten Island defeated #8 York, 98-49
#2 Baruch defeated #7 CCNY, 87-54
#3 Brooklyn defeated #6 John Jay, 56-34
#4 Hunter defeated #5 Lehman, 84-57
Wednesday, February 26th – Women's Semifinals (at CCNY)
6:00 pm: #1 Staten Island vs. #4 Hunter
8:00 pm: #2 Baruch vs. #3 Brooklyn
Friday, February 28th– Women's & Men's Championship (at CCNY)
6:00 pm: Women's Championship (Game to be televised by ESPN3.com
