(Valhalla, NY) - When a college basketball player makes his first career start, the expectations tend to be on the conservative side. That is, unless your name is Thomas Hoffman (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Hayes). Not only did the rookie guard enjoy a debut as a starter that was outstanding by any standard, at one point during the second half of Westchester Community College's 105-73 win over Ulster Community College, he was actually denied the ball. 24 points - 18 of which came on three-pointers - and 30 outstanding minutes later, Hoffman proved to be the latest explosive addition to the Vikings offense as Westchester improved to 6-1 overall, and 2-1 in Mid-Hudson Conference and NJCAA Region XV play.

As has been the case during most of the early season for the Vikings, Westchester came out of the gate early, taking a 20-4 lead less than five minutes after the game started. Up 22-8, Ulster (0-6, 0-3) went on an 8-1 run to make it a seven point game, but a 15-4 Vikings run from there all but put the game away. Westchester led 58-39 at halftime, and led by as many as 34 points during the second half, as the Vikings broke 100 points for the third time during the first seven games of the season.

Five Vikings scored in double figures, four of which netted career-highs for points. Aside from Hoffman, freshman Kai Parris (Bronx, NY/Riverdale Kingsbridge) had 19 points, seven rebounds, six steals, and four assists, while freshman Edward Beqiri (Yonkers, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) notched his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Omar Nkonde (New York, NY/Thurgood Marshall Academy) added 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots.

Also for the Vikings, freshman Eisaiah Murphy (White Plains, NY/White Plains HS) had 23 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Westchester shot 49% from the floor, compared to 37% for Ulster, while the Vikings forced 21 Ulster turnovers but committed only 17. Westchester also combined for 47 rebounds.

Westchester Community College returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 4 when the Vikings travel to Suffolk Community College for a 1:00 p.m. match-up.