Following the CUNY Athletic Conference’s All-Star namings, Melinda Spahiu, a senior guard and forward, was named to the second team while Mia Castillo, a freshman guard, was named rookie of the year.

Castillo averaged 17.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game on her way to the Rookie of the Year award. Spahiu averaged 13.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 4.2 steals.

The team went 10-11 on the season, placing third in the CUNYAC standings.

The team lost 66-56 to John Jay College in the CUNYAC semifinals, which was ultimately won by Brooklyn College.

Despite the loss, Castillo led the team in scoring with 15 points while Spahiu contributed with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in her final college game.

Castillo’s season high in points was 34. She posted 14 rebounds and 12 assists, all season highs, on a 30-point triple double in her intercollegiate debut versus St. Joseph’s College Brooklyn on Nov. 10. Her season highs on defense were five blocks and eight steals.

Castillo was named CUNYAC Rookie of the Week five times throughout the season.

She was also named to the All-Tournament Team of the Kean Classic and was named to the weekly honorable mention list for the Division II/III Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association.

A season highlight came in a win against Hunter College on Dec. 3, where Castillo stole a pass and went cross court to score a layup, which gave the Bearcats the lead with two seconds left, ultimately the win, 63-61. Castillo had 16 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists, another strong showing for her.

Spahiu had season highs of 31 points, 16 rebounds, 11 steals, 10 assists and one block.

She also scored 1,000 career points in a game against City College, by being named to the 202122 CUNYAC Championship All-Tournament Team, in addition to her placement on the second team.

She was also named to the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Division II/III weekly honorable mention for the week of Feb. 1.

Despite being out for two months, making her debut on Jan. 12 at Brooklyn College, Spahiu ended her CUNY basketball career on a strong note, following the performance she had in the team’s last game.