(Valhalla, NY) - After missing eight games with an injury during the mid-way point of the 2018-19 season, sophomore Monte Lambert (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison HS) is quickly finding his groove, which could be essential if the Westchester Community College Men's Basketball team is going to make a run during the final stretch of the year. On Tuesday night, Lambert enjoyed his finest effort since his return, registering a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds as Westchester earned its third straight win, 75-66 over visiting Raritan Valley Community College at Viking Gymnasium. With the win, Westchester is now 11-5 for the 2018-19 campaign.

Lamert got off to a slow start, but the entirety of both teams seemed to do the same as neither team found the basket for the first 2:17 of play. Raritan Valley jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, but a 10-0 Westchester lead put the Vikings ahead 12-6. From there, the teams went back and forth throughout the first half. The Vikings led by as many as seven during the final minute of the opening half, but Raritan Valley was able to cut the deficit to four points, 43-39 at halftime.

Raritan (5-11) scored six of the first eight points to start the second half, and led 47-45 with 16:59 to play, but and neither team led by more than three points until a late 13-4 WCC run put the hosts by 10 en route to their first home win in 42 days.

Freshman Joe Zayer (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South HS) scored 15 points and added five assists and four rebounds, while freshman Nathan Emanuel (Suffern, NY/Suffern HS) added 10 points.

Overall, Westchester enjoyed a 47-33 rebounding edge, and turned the ball over only 16 times, compared to 21 for Raritan Valley. Both teams shot 43% from the floor.

Westchester returns to action on Saturday, January 19 when the Vikings travel to the Monroe College Tournament. Up first is a battle with NJCAA Division I powerhouse ASA College at 2:00 p.m., before a 4:00 p.m. Sunday clash with Monroe College. Any scheduling updates based on the weather will be announced on GoWCCVikings.com and all Westchester Community College Athletic Department social media vehicles.