(Valhalla, NY) - With 4:25 to play in the third quarter of Thursday night's women's basketball tilt between Westchester Community College and Monroe-Bronx JV, the Vikings were struggling so mightily that their entire season seemed to be taking a turn for the worse. After defeating the Express twice already this season, Westchester trailing by 15 points, with absolutely nothing going right, and it appeared as if a blowout loss was imminent. That is, until the Vikings regrouped, turned in one of their finest stretches of basketball during the 2021-2022 season, and walked away with a 66-64 win that gave the Vikings the momentum it may need heading into its most crucial stretch of basketball during the home stretch of the season.

Sophomore Donjeta Prelvukaj (Bronx, NY/St. Catharine) notched her fourth double-double of the 2021-2022 season with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman Kylee Taxiera (Ossining, NY/Ossining HS) added 22 points as Westchester improved to 7-4 for the 2021-2022 season. But, it wasn't easy.



Both teams had their ups and downs throughout the first half, with Westchester holding a 14-11 lead after the first quarter, but Monroe (3-6) evening things up, 27-27 at halftime. It was during the third quarter when things got interesting. Monroe came out running after halftime, going on an 19-4 run to take the 15-point lead after just over five minutes of play into the third quarter. However, from there, Westchester went on a 15-1 run to close the third quarter, making it a 47-46 Monroe lead to enter the final stanza. Two minutes into the fourth quarter, a Taxiera lay-up gave Westchester a 50-49 lead. Two minutes after that, a Monroe three-pointer tied the game 54-54 with 6:16 to play, but the Vikings controlled play down the stretch. Taxiera closed a 9-2 Viking run with a lay-up with 3:27 to play to make it 63-56. From there, the Vikings cruised to victory as Monroe never made it a one-possession game until a lay-up as time expired.

Monroe actually had the better shooting night, hitting 36% of its field goals, compared to 29% for Westchester, and the Express held a 63-54 rebounding edge, but Westchester forced 23 Monroe turnovers, while only committing 13. The Vikings also hit 10 three-pointers - with Prelvukaj and Taxiera combining for nine - while Monroe only converted four three-point attempts.

Also for Westchester, freshman Adriana McFadden (Ossining, NY/Ossining HS) added 13 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and four steals, while freshman Mikaelyn Hannon (Yonkers, NY/Peekskill HS) had a team-high 13 rebounds.

Weather permitting, Westchester CC returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 29 when the Vikings travel to Camden County College for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off.