November 5, 2022

Valhalla, NY – Westchester's Men's Basketball team did not get the opening game result they were looking for as they fell to CCRI, 94-83 on Saturday.  The Knights scored first and did not relinquish the lead the entire way.   The season opener was the first game of the Johnny Jones Memorial Tip-off Tournament, held in honor of Vikings Sports Hall of Famer and long-time announcer, Johnny Jones. 

Early on, CCRI jumped out to a 10-point lead at 15-5.  That proved to be a deficit that the Vikings would chase the entire game.  Westchester would start to cut into the lead but then fall behind double digits most of the first half.  A three pointer at the buzzer by WCC kept the Vikings in the game, though trailing 51-39.

In the second half, the scoring was more balanced, and Westchester did make a push, cutting the game to as little as 7 early in the half.  However, the lead for CCRI ballooned to as many as 22 points, making it hard for WCC to keep pace.  A late flurry gave the Vikings some momentum but key stops by the Knight's defense down the stretch kept Westchester from mounting the comeback they were looking for. 

Kishaun Cole (Sleepy Hollow, NY/Sleepy Hollow HS), led all Westchester scorers with 17 to go with 6 assists.  Ed Beqiri (Yonkers, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) chipped in with 15 of his own and Yenfry Paulino (West Haverstraw, NY/North Rockland HS) posted 13.  The Vikings had 5 players score in double digits however, which was a stark contrast from CCRI who saw 74 of their 92 points posted by just 3 players combined.  

Westchester returns to action on Sunday, November 6^th as the Johnny Jones Memorial Tip Off Tournament continues.  The Vikings will take on Hostos Community College at 3pm.