(Valhalla, NY) - In college basketball, there is no such thing as a statistic for drawn charges during a game. But if such a stat were to exist, the a charge drawn by freshman Jahmir Appleton (Bronx, NY/Eagle Academy) with five seconds to play in Tuesday's game against ASA College could go down as the statistic of the year for what is quickly turning into a fantastic season for the Vikings. Down by three points as the final seconds ticked down, Appleton stepped into the lane to draw a charge on an Avenger drive that easily could have been kicked out to an ASA guard wide open outside of three-point range, but the potential game-tying shot never occurred as the foul was called, allowing the Vikings to secure a thrilling 79-76 win in front of a raucous crowd at Westchester CC. With their sixth consecutive win, the Vikings are now 13-4 overall. Westchester is also now 2-0 against NJCAA Division I opponents for the 2019-2020 season.

Westchester started fast once again. A Fabian Johnson (New York, NY/Our Savior Lutheran) lay-up with 14:39 to play in the first half gave the Vikings a 15-4 lead, and after nearly four minutes of play with neither team scoring, the 11-point lead remained in place with 10:48 to go until halftime. Five minutes later, a three-point play by freshman Justin Mazyck (Bronx, NY/Stevenson HS) made it a 29-19 game. However, ASA (5-9) ended the first half on a 16-4 run to make it a 35-33 Viking lead at halftime.

The second half proved to be nothing short of crazy. An ASA three-pointer with 12:56 to play gave the Avengers a 50-49 lead. However, the Vikings responded with a 19-3 run over a span of four minutes to take what appeared to be a commanding 68-53 lead with 8:22 to play after a Joe Zayer (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South HS) three-pointer. However, ASA was not finished. The Avengers battled back with a 15-1 run to make it 69-68 with four minutes left in the game. ASA then took a 73-72 lead with 2:24 remaining and a 76-74 advantage one minute later, but that was as close as the Avengers would get to victory. Sophomore Anthony Monti (Bronx, NY/St. Raymond's) scored Westchester's final seven points, including a 5 for 6 effort from the free throw line to help clinch the victory. His final two free throws with 14 seconds remaining gave Westchester the 79-76 lead, setting up Appleton's heroics.
 
Monti finished with a game-high 18 points - including an 8 for 9 effort at the free throw line - and added three rebounds, and eight assists. Mazyck chipped in 17 points and eight rebounds, while freshman Daniel Barrera (Elmsford, NY/Alexander Hamilton HS) had 11 points. Overall, 11 different Vikings scored points.

ASA actually had a 48-42 rebounding edge, and shot 44%, compared to 40% for the Vikings, but a 21-16 turnover advantage for the Vikings proved to be a difference-maker. Westchester also shot 16 for 22 from the free throw line, while ASA was 7 for 18.

The Vikings return to action on Saturday, Jan. 11 when the Vikings travel to the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Tournament. The Vikings face the host Knights at 7:00 p.m.