NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. –The College of New Rochelle held off a late comeback attempt from St. Joseph's College for a 62-47 victory in the championship game of the 2014 Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament on Sunday afternoon at the CNR Wellness Center.
New Rochelle (16-9, 4-2) captures their first league basketball title in school history, defeating defending league champions St. Joseph's (15-11, 4-2). Jah-Leah Ellis was named tournament MVP posting a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double in the championship after scoring 20 points with 25 rebounds in the semifinals. Jasmine Brandon also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
In one of the tightest seasons in league history – with New Rochelle, St. Joseph's and Albany Pharmacy finishing in a three-way tie for second place – St. Joseph's knocked off undefeated regular season champion Berkeley in the semifinal round and New Rochelle withstood a late comeback attempt from Albany Pharmacy in the other semifinal to advance to their first title game.
In the championship, the Blue Angels limited the Lady Bears to just 21 percent shooting (6-29) and took control of the game with an 11-0 run, building a 12-point advantage before leading 25-17 headed into the lockers.
St. Joseph's would find their range in the second stanza improving to a 50 percent connect rate (15-30) and mounted a second-half comeback, but just like their semifinal win over Albany Pharmacy, the Blue Angels fought off a comeback attempt with a late run. After the Lady Bears shrank the deficit to one, 42-41, with under five minutes to play, the Blue Angels responded with a 14-2 run to build their largest lead of the game nearing the final minute of play.
St. Joseph's was led by Megan Moran (Syosset, N.Y.) and Taylor Raccuglia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) who finished with 10 points each.
In ceremonies concluding the championship, Berkeley College head coach Sharod Tomlinson and Yeshiva University head coach were named the 2013-14 Co-Coaches of the Year.
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2014 HVIAC Women's Basketball Championships
Semifinals
Saturday, February 15, 2014
at The College of New Rochelle
#4 St. Joseph's def. #1 Berkeley, 73-59
#3 New Rochelle def. #2 Albany Pharmacy, 63-53
Championship
Sunday, February 16, 2014
at The College of New Rochelle
#3 New Rochelle def. #4 St. Joseph's, 62-47
Tournament Champions
The College of New Rochelle
Tournament Runner-Up
St. Joseph's College
Regular Season Champions
Berkeley College
Tournament MVP
Jah-Leah Ellis, New Rochelle - Jr. - Forward
2013-14 Co-Coaches of the Year
Sharod Tomlinson, Berkeley College
Nesta Felix, Yeshiva University
2013-14 All-Conference Team
| Jasmine Brandon * | New Rochelle | So. | C | Jersey City, NJ |
| Aiyesha Brown * | Berkeley | Sr. | G | Jamaica, NY |
| Aiysha Dunlap | Vaughn | Fr. | C | Amityville, NY |
| Jah-Leah Ellis | New Rochelle | Jr. | F | Harlem, NY |
| Milan Germany * | Berkeley | Jr. | F | Bronx, NY |
| Stephanie Greenberg | Yeshiva | Jr. | G | Cedarhurst, NY |
| Kelsey Johnson $ | Albany Pharmacy | Sr. | C | Malone, NY |
| Kelly McNamee ** | St. Joseph's | Sr. | G | Glendale, NY |
| Megan Moran | St. Joseph's | Sr. | F | Syosset, NY |
| Alyssa Pechin % | New Rochelle | Jr. | G | Yonkers, NY |
| Taylor Raccuglia |
St. Joseph's |
Jr. | F | Brooklyn, NY |
| Alexa Schooley * | Albany Pharmacy | Jr. | F | Auburn, NY |
| Sophie Simunek | King's | Jr. | F | Cincinnati, OH |
| Taylor Sullivan * | Albany Pharmacy | Jr. | F | Troy, NY |
| Janay Thomas % | Berkeley | Jr. | G | Queens, NY |
* Denotes 2012-13 All-Conference Team Selection
** Denotes 2011-12 and 2012-13 All-Conference Team
Selection
% Denotes 2011-12 All-Conference Team Selection
$ Denotes 2010-11 All-Conference Team Selection
Past Champions
- 2013: St. Joseph's
- 2012: Albany Pharmacy
- 2011: Albany Pharmacy
- 2010: St. Joseph's
- 2009: St. Elizabeth's
- 2008: Mount Saint Vincent
- 2007: Mount Saint Vincent
- 2006: St. Joseph's
- 2005: Mount Saint Vincent
- 2004: Purchase
