BROOKLYN --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) Advancing to the postseason for the third-straight season, fifth-seeded York College women's basketball's run at a CUNYAC Championship ended Wednesday on the road, falling 73-63 in the semifinals to the top-seeded Brooklyn College Bulldogs (18-7) from West Quad Center Gymnasium.  

Concluding the season with a record of 12-12, the Cardinals produced their highest win total since claiming 13 victories in 2009-10 as York graduates a four-member senior class consisting of Dessources (2018-23), Hodzic (2018-23), Sierra (2018-23) and Sagna (2018-23). 

"it's important to view this year's success as a stepping stone towards future growth and improvement. By analyzing the team's performance, setting goals for next season, and continuing to develop players, the team can build off of this year's success and work towards achieving even greater accomplishments in the future."-said head coach Kimani Jackson

How it Happened

• York controlled play early as Ellma Hodzic's layup 2:36 in punctuated a 7-0 start for the Cardinals. 
• Brooklyn responded with a 9-2 burst to even the score. 
• Kristina Sierra's triple with 30 seconds left gave York a 14-13 edge after the first quarter. 
• Level at 20, the Bulldogs went on a commanding 12-2 run to lead by 10 (32-22) with 5:29 remaining in the half. 
• Brianna Gutierrez sank a layup with 22 seconds showing on the clock to push Brooklyn's advantage to 12 (37-25) at intermission. 
• Gianna Gotti's free-throw at the 7:21 mark in the third period pushed the Bulldog edge to a game-best 16 (45-29).
• Trailing 45-29, York scored 16 of the next 21 points capped by a 9-0 spurt to pull within five (50-45) with 1:54 showing on the third-quarter clock.
• York outscored Brooklyn 21-15 in the third to close within six (52-46) heading into the final period.
• Both teams traded baskets as Hodzic and Mac-Dege Dessources dropped in layups to bring York within six with 8:25 to go.  
• The Cardinals were unable to break past a six-point deficit in the fourth stanza as Brooklyn played with a double-digit advantage for the final five minutes.  
• Up 58-51, the Bulldogs went on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 15 (68-53) with 3:17 remaining. 
• Dessouces canned a jumper to trim York's deficit to 10 (73-63) with 1:31 remaining to close out the scoring.  

Inside the Box Score
Hodzic led York in scoring with 16 points (7-of-15 FG) to go along with five assists, four steals and one block. Dessources finished her illustrious career with 14 points (6-of-8 FG), nine boards and three blocks. Aminata Sagna scored 10 points (2-of-6 3FG, 2-of-4 FT) and tied a career-high with 16 rebounds (five offensive) to notch her third double-double of the season. Alicia Gumbs added 13 points (4-of-12 FG, 2-of-4 3FG), seven rebounds and three assists. 

Gotti paced Brooklyn with 19 points (6-of-16 FG, 7-of-8 FT) and five rebounds. Erika James stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points (5-of-15 FG, 2-of-7 3FG), six boards and five assists.  Sarah James chipped in with 11 points (4-of-15 FG, 3-of-5 FT) and 16 rebounds. Nancy Pham added nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and six assists. 

York shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the field, 31.6 percent (6-of-19) from beyond the arc and made nine free-throws (64.3%). Brooklyn connected on 33.3 percent (25-of-75) from the floor, 19.2 percent (5-of-26) from 3-point range and sank 18 free-throws (66.7%).  York outplayed Brooklyn in blocks (4-1) and fast break points (12-4).  Brooklyn owned the edge in points in the paint (36-32), steals (13-5) and converted 25 Cardinal turnovers into 20 points while scoring 14 second-chance points off 20 offensive rebounds.  Both teams drew even in rebounds (46) and assists (13).  

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