December 19, 2022
Valhalla, NY – Men's Basketball lost a tough one on Saturday, being edged out by the Kats of Erie Community College 79-73.  After winning four of the last five games, the Vikings lost two close games in a row, coming off of a double overtime defeat at the hands of Essex on Thursday. 

Westchester led for the earlier part of the first half, when a jumper by Omar Nkonde (Harlem, NY/Thurgood Marshall) made it 19-17 with 8:51 on the clock.  But in just over a minute, Erie went on a 10-0 run to flip the game, and suddenly the Vikings trailed by eight.  WCC used two 3-pointers by Kishaun Cole (Sleepy Hollow, NY/Sleepy Hollow HS) and Jaiden Brown (Cambria Heights, NY/Jamaica) within the final minute of the half to head to the locker room down by just two points at 39-37.

Westchester took a lead with 15:21 left to play when Cole laid in a bucket off of a steal and a fast break.  It would be the last time the team would lead though.  Though the team kept things close, the Vikings found themselves down by 7 with just over a minute remaining when Chase Woney (Bronx, NY/North Atlanta HS) scored on back to back possessions with a jumper and a 3-ball.  But the team was unable to get any closer as they resorted to fouling in the remaining seconds to keep things within reach.  In the end, thee Kats were able to hit their free throws and extend their lead.

WCC did have four players score in double figures, led Nkonde with 19.  Cole added 16 and Yenfry Paulino (West Haverstraw, NY/North Rockland HS) notched a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. 

The Vikings fell to 6-8 on the season and 2-2 within Region XV.  The Vikings are now off for the winter break until January 7^th, when they'll welcome Columbia Greene CC to Viking Gymnasium to start the 2^nd half.  Tipoff will be at 3pm.