(Valhalla, NY) - Freshman Joe Zayer (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South HS) scored a career-high 30 points, and chipped in six rebounds and three assists, and sophomore Miles Haughton (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck HS) added 26 points to go with five rebounds, four blocked shots, and three assists, but the Westchester Community College Men's Basketball team lost for the second time during the last three games, 91-81 on Saturday at Viking Gymnasium. With the loss, Westchester is now 6-2 for the 2018-19 season.

Turnovers were the name of the game for the host Vikings as Westchester committed a season-high 24 of them, leading to a 30-16 disparity in points off turnovers. Otherwise, it was a game statistically closer than the final score indicated.

The Vikings actually controlled play for much of the early going as four three-pointers during the first five minutes of play allowed Westchester to open an 18-13 lead with 12:32 to play in the opening half. However, a Haughton lay-up to make it 18-13 in favor of Westchester was followed by a 10-0 Monroe CC run to put the Tribunes ahead 23-18. A Zayer three-pointer with 6:44 remaining in the first half allowed the Vikings to gain a 26-25 lead, but Monroe outscored Westchester 16-8 down the stretch to take a 42-33 lead into halftime.

The Vikings opened the second half playing inspired basketball, particularly off the bench, as huge plays from Chukwudi Ekezie (Bronx, NY/Bronx CC) and a three-pointer from Alhagieboe Dukuray (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison HS) tied the game at 45 with 15:55 to play. Two minutes later, a Zayer three-pointer tied the score again, 53-53 with 13:13 to play. However a 16-2 Monroe run gave the visitors an 80-66 lead with 3:22 remaining in the game. Westchester made one final run, cutting the deficit to six points with 1:36 to play, but Monroe converted several free throws late to ice the win.

Overall, Monroe shot 46% to Westchester's 43%, and out-rebounded the Vikings 43-40, a figure that was a double-digit Tribune edge as late as early in the second half.

Westchester Community College returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 4 ... and it is a big one. The Vikings welcome 2017-18 NJCAA Region XV Champion Ulster Community College for a 7:00 p.m. start that will be the second half of a doubleheader with the Westchester CC Women's team hosting the Senators at 5:00 p.m.