(Valhalla, NY) - After losing two straight games, and three of their last four to Orange Community College, heading into Tuesday night's showdown, it was not out of the question that the visiting Colts had Westchester CC's number. That is, until halftime ended, and the final 20 minutes of play began. Freshman Noe Fleurimond (Greenburgh, NY/Woodlands HS) registered his second double-double of the 2019-2020 season with 15 points and 10 rebounds over 31 brilliant minutes, and freshman Daniel Barrera (Elmsford, NY/Alexander Hamilton HS) scored 13 points, shooting 5 for 8 from the floor, as Westchester notched its biggest win of the 2020 portion of their schedule, blasting Orange CC 73-51 in front of a packed house at Viking Gymnasium.

With the win, the Vikings are now 18-5 overall, and 4-1 in NJCAA Region XV play, with their only loss coming to the Colts on Nov. 19. Since then, Westchester is 12-2, having now won 11 of its last 12 games.

Just like the first time around when Orange defeated Westchester 60-56 on Nov. 19, the Colts (15-8, 3-2) did everything they could to slow the game down to a crawl, and control the pace of play. And, for 20 minutes, it was effective. The teams traded the lead seven times during the first half, with Orange leading by as many as five during the first half, and Westchester taking a six-point lead with 2:10 to play until halftime, thanks to a Barrera lay-up. However, from there, Westchester missed its final three shots of the first half, along with two free throws, and Orange scored the final four points of the opening stanza, to cut Westchester's lead to 23-21 at the break ... an uncharacteristically low score for the Vikings. Westchester shot only 32% during the first half, and committed 15 turnovers - compared to seven for Orange - allowing the game to be close.
 
However, the final 20 minutes featured a total change of pace as the Vikings played fast from start-to-finish, blowing the game wide open. The Colts turned the ball over during their first six possessions of the second half, allowing Westchester to score eight straight points, and two Malik Moore (Tuckahoe, NY/Tuckahoe HS) free throws with 18:43 to play gave Westchester a 31-21 lead. From there, two more Orange turnovers, and two missed field goal attempts, allowed Westchester to extend the run to 15-2, giving Westchester a 38-23 lead with 17:01 to play.

Incredibly, Westchester's 15-2 run came during a span of only 2:59.

As the second half wound down, the Vikings did not let up. A Fleurimond lay-up with 4:52 to play extended the lead to 27 points, and Westchester cruised from there.

The stellar Westchester defense forced 18 Orange turnovers during the second half of play, as the Vikings had a 32-17 edge in points off turnovers for the game. Westchester also out-rebounded an outstanding Colt team on the boards, 47-42. For the game, Westchester also out-shot Orange 40%-34%.

Also for the Vikings, Moore scored 11 points, and added five rebounds and four steals, while sophomore Anthony Monti (Bronx, NY/St. Raymond's) added nine points, six assists, and four rebounds. Overall, Westchester featured nine different Vikings who scored points.

Westchester Community College returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 6 when the Vikings travel to Rockland Community College for a 7:00 p.m. game. Westchester defeated Rockland 95-59 on Nov. 21 at home.