(New Rochelle, NY) - Four Vikings scored in double figures, and freshman Kai Parris (Bronx, NY/Riverdale Kingsbridge) scored a career-high 21 points, but the Westchester Community College Men's Basketball team fell 76-74 to Monroe Bronx on Saturday afternoon at the Monroe Athletic Complex in New Rochelle, NY. With their second consecutive loss, the Vikings are now 9-8 for the 2021-2022 season. 

Westchester enjoyed one of its finest first halves of the season, shooting 47% from the floor, as the Vikings led from wire-to-wire, and had a 42-27 lead at halftime. Parris scored 11 points over the first 20 minutes, and freshman Nokio Kennedy (Yonkers, NY/Palisade Prep) had 10 points during the stretch. 

The second half turned into a tale of two halves as the Vikings continued its strong play, leading Monroe 57-40 with 11:02 to play after a Parris three-pointer. However, a 16-3 Monroe run made it a 60-56 game four minutes later. 

Westchester was able to extend the lead back to nine points, 65-56 with 6:11 to play, but from there, Monroe methodically chipped away, eventually tying the score at 72 with 1:04 to play. Monroe took a 74-72 lead with 13 seconds to play, before a Kennedy lay-up with six seconds remaining tied the game right back up. However, off a set play, Monroe was able to convert an offensive rebound into a buzzer-beating jump shot for the win. 

Freshman Thomas Hoffman (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Hayes) scored 17 points, hitting 5 of 9 three point attempts, while Kennedy scored 14 points, and freshman Omar Nkonde (New York, NY/Thurgood Marshall Academy) added 10 points and eight rebounds. 

Westchester was out-rebounded 38-31, but owned a 15-10 edge in the turnover battle. 

Westchester Community College returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 10 when the Vikings travel to Ulster Community College for a 7:00 p.m. Region XV match-up.