(Valhalla, NY) - Freshman Mylene Smith (Peekskill, NY/Hendrick Hudson HS) scored a career-high 25 points, and freshman Adriana McFadden (Ossining, NY/Ossining HS) neared a triple-double with 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, but the Westchester Community College Women's Basketball team lost its second consecutive game, 80-71 to NJCAA Region XIX power, Essex County College, on Thursday night at Viking Gymnasium. With the loss, the Vikings are now 8-6 for the 2021-2022 season.

Prior to the game, sophomores Donjeta Prelvukaj (Bronx, NY/St. Catharine), Kylee Taxiera (Ossining, NY/Ossining HS) and Genesis Miller-Barre (Peekskill, NY) were honored before the final regular season home game of their career.

Once play started, the Vikings played a gritty game against Essex. The Wolverines (9-3) led by as many as 11 points early, but Westchester closed the first quarter on a 14-2 run over the final four minutes to lead 21-20 at the end of the first quarter. McFadden scored 10 points during the opening frame.

However, the second quarter proved to be the difference in this game as 10 Viking turnovers before halftime gave Essex a 10-2 scoring advantage, and the visitors took a 40-31 lead into the break.

From there, the second half was a dead-even affair. Despite Essex leading by as many as 21 points during the fourth quarter, the Vikings kept battling back, ultimately falling by single digits.

Prelvukaj finished with her seventh double-double of the season as she had 16 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman Mikaelyn Hannon (Yonkers, NY/Peekskill HS) added 11 rebounds.

Both teams shot 37% from the floor, and the Vikings owned an impressive 56-46 rebounding advantage but Essex held a 27-15 advantage in the turnover battle, allowing for their scoring advantage.

Westchester CC returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 17 when the Vikings travel to Nassau Community College to close the 2021-2022 regular season.