Brooklyn, NY --- The #2 seeded Brooklyn College Men's Basketball team (17-8 overall, 7-4 CUNYAC) will begin its quest for a third City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) championship in four years, when it takes on a familiar foe, #7 York College in the Quarterfinals Round of the 2012 CUNYAC/Con Edison Men's Basketball Championship, on Saturday, February 18th at 1:30 pm at the West Quad Center on the campus of Brooklyn College.

The Bulldogs swept the season series against the Cardinals this year and currently hold a six-game winning streak over York, including a BC victory in the CUNYAC Quarterfinals last year, as well as a Brooklyn win in the 2010 CUNYAC Championship title game.

After taking home the “Dutch Shoe” in 2009 and 2010, the Bulldogs were denied a three-peat, falling to the Dolphins of the College of Staten Island in a heartbreaking overtime thriller, 73-70, in the semifinals round of the 2011 CUNYAC Championships.

Currently in his 18th season at the helm of the BC Men's Basketball program, head coach Steve Podias looks to erase the bitter taste of the 2011 postseason by relying on his senior laden backcourt tandem of Amil John and Tyshawn Russell, as the duo will look to cap off their collegiate careers on a high note and lead the Bulldogs to another run at the “Dutch Shoe.”

John has filled up the stat sheet this season, totaling 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a league-best 3.4 steals per game. John leads the team in rebounds, assists and steals, while ranking in the top-10 in the CUNYAC in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. John also ranks fourth in all of Division III in steals.

Russell has been a scoring machine for the Bulldogs this season averaging a team-best 21.6 ppg, while shooting 44.4% (185-417) from the field, 26.6% (25-94) from three and 74.7% (145-194) from the free throw line. Scoring wise, Russell ranks second in the conference and 20th nationally.

John and Russell each etched their names in the BC record books this season, as both players eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for their careers. John accomplished the feat on December 8th in an 87-56 win over Vaughn College, while Russell reached the milestone on January 4th in a 77-75 victory over York.

Coach Podias also reached a personal milestone this season, as he collected his 200th career win on January 25th as Brooklyn defeated John Jay College of Criminal Justice 93-73.

Along with John and Russell, junior Kavon Baker will also play a major role in helping guide BC to a potential third conference championship, as he is averaging 13.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.0 apg and 3.0 spg on the season.

Other notable players who will make an impact on Brooklyn's title hopes are senior Keiran Halton and juniors Filipp Bochkov and Steven Grant.

If Brooklyn gets past York, the Bulldogs will take on the winner between #3 Lehman College/#6 Medgar Evers College in the semifinals on Tuesday, February 21st at 8:00 pm at Nat Holman Gymnasium on the campus of the City College of New York (CCNY). Medgar Evers is the reigning CUNYAC champion. If BC gets past the semifinals, they will play in the final on Saturday, February 25th at 5:00 pm also at CCNY.

Along with York, Lehman and Medgar Evers, top seeded College of Staten Island, #4 seeded Baruch College, #5 seeded Hunter College and #8 seeded John Jay College will all pose a threat to Brooklyn's championship aspirations.

Admission to this Saturday's quarterfinal will be free and on a first come first served basis.  Tickets to the semifinal and final rounds are also free and can be acquired through the CUNYAC website at the following link: http://www.cunyathletics.com/sports/2011/9/29/2011_12_champ_tickets.aspx