(Valhalla, NY) - Freshman Noe Fleurimond (Greenburgh, NY/Woodlands HS) scored a season-high 22 points and added seven rebounds and three steals, and sophomore Fabian Johnson (New York, NY/Our Savior Lutheran) scored a career-high 17 points and added five rebounds, but the Westchester Community College Men's Basketball team lost for the first time this season, 82-77 to Essex County College on Thursday night at Viking Gymnasium. With the loss, Westchester is now 3-1 for the 2019-2020 season.

Shooting was Westchester's downfall as the Vikings shot a season-low 33%, including a rough 4-for-37 performance from three-point range. Shooting was not an issue early in the game as the Vikings scored 13 straight points over a four-minute span to turn a 4-3 edge into a 17-3 lead with 14:19 to play in the first half. Three minutes later, a Daniel Barrera (Elmsford, NY/Alexander Hamilton HS) jump shot made it 28-10, and the Vikings appeared to be cruising to their fourth straight win.

However, from there, Essex CC began gradually chipping away as Westchester's shooting went cold. A 10-1 Essex run made it 29-19 with 6:16 to play in the first half. A pair of Malik Moore (Tuckahoe, NY/Tuckahoe HS) free throws with 4:27 to play extended the Viking lead back to 35-19, but Essex ended the half on a 9-2 run to make it 37-28 at halftime.

Essex continued to chip away at things to open the second half, closing the gap to 46-41 with 14:37 remaining, but Westchester appeared to blow things open with a 13-4 run over a 3:19 span, highlighted by consecutive Fleurimond dunks to make it 59-45 with 11:18 to play. However, Essex closed the game by outscoring Westchester 37-18 over the final 10 minutes to secure an improbable win.

Barrera had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, to go with five assists, and sophomore Joe Zayer (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South HS) added 10 points and five assists.

Westchester was out-rebounded 50-48, but committed only 14 turnovers, compared to 24 by Essex. But Essex shot 42% for the game, compared to 33% for the Vikings.

Westchester CC now hits the road for five straight away games, beginning with a trip to UConn-Avery Point on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2:00 p.m. The Vikings next return home on Thursday, Nov. 21 when they host Rockland CC at 7:00 p.m.