(Valhalla, NY) - Five Vikings scored in double figures, and sophomore Johnathan Blumrick (Houston, TX/Heights HS) notched a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds, but the Westchester Community College Men's Basketball team dropped a 92-80 battle to 12th-ranked Orange Community College on Tuesday night at Viking Gymnasium. With the loss, the Vikings fall to 10-10 overall, and finish the 2021-2022 Mid-Hudson Conference and NJCAA Region XV season with a 4-4 record.

Prior to the game, Blumrick, Nokio Kennedy (Yonkers, NY/Palisade Prep), Thomas Hoffman (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Hayes), and Kai Parris (Bronx, NY/Riverdale Kingsbridge) were honored for their achievements while members of the Westchester CC Basketball team. All four sophomores played a pivotal role during an outstanding effort against one of the nation's best teams.

The first half featured four ties and two lead changes as both teams had their moments. Orange (17-1, 7-1) had an eight point lead, 25-17 with 10:03 to play in the first half, but a 10-2 Viking run ended with a Kennedy lay-up to tie the score with 6:58 to play. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the opening half, but Orange was fouled while attempting a three-pointer with 0:01 to play in the half, giving the Colts three free throws, which they converted to take a 53-35 lead into halftime.

The second half saw Orange try to pull away, but the Vikings battled back every time. The Colts led by as many as 16 points with 5:49 to play, but Westchester cut the deficit to as few as eight points, but were unable to get any closer.

Kennedy led Westchester with 19 points, and added six assists and five rebounds. Freshman Omar Nkonde (New York, NY/Thurgood Marshall Academy) added 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Parris added 10 points and eight rebounds, and freshman Elijah Gonzalez (Bronx, NY/Winston Salem Christian) had 15 points.

Orange CC enjoyed an incredible shooting night, hitting 51% of their shots, including 57% during the second half, while the Vikings shot 42% from the floor. The Vikings had a terrific rebounding night, collecting 47 rebounds, including 20 on the offensive glass, while Orange had 39 rebounds. However, Westchester committed 18 turnovers, compared to 13 for the Colts.

Westchester CC returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 17 when the Vikings close the 2021-2022 regular season at Nassau CC. The game begins at 7:00 p.m.