AACC’s Women’s Basketball lost the first round in the NJCAA Division III National Championships against Hostos Community College today.

The Riverhawks played the defending champions, the Hostos Community College Caimans from NY at the National Championships in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with a final score of 37-91.

The Riverhawks haven’t competed in the Division III National Tournament since the year 2000.

First-year student and forward Lacey Hinkle, who had nine points and four rebounds in the first round national’s game, said her and her teammates remained motivated even when they were down by 29 points in the first half.

“Coach has been saying all throughout the year, ‘We earned this [spot in the National Tournament],’” said Hinkle, a pre-medical student.

Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lionel Makell did not let the first half affect the team’s morale for the remainder of the game.

“Welcome to the National Tournament,” Makell said to his team of six Riverhawks. “Now that we have that out the way, let’s play our game. Let’s play Riverhawk basketball.”

The team came back offensively in the third quarter, scoring over double their points from the first half.

Karley Haensler, forward and second-year transfer studies student, said even though the team was down in the first half they picked up their momentum in the second half.

“Overall I feel like our energy was positive,” Haensler, who contributed 10 points and two rebounds against the top ranked Caimans, said. “When we came back from halftime we definitely turned it up and did what we had to do in order to bring the energy up more.”

Riverhawks led the game with 25 turnovers, while the Hostos Community College Caimans’s had 19.

Marcy Augustin, guard and second-year transfer studies student said she felt the team will go into the next game with a lot more confidence.

“We have the capability to hang with any of these teams here,” Augustin, who added three steals and five rebounds in the first round of nationals, said.

The Riverhawks will play in round two of the Division III National Tournament on Friday March 15 at 12 p.m. against Hibbing Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

For live updates of the game, check Campus Current’s twitter at @campus_current