Valhalla, NY – The Women's Basketball team opened up their 2023-24 season this past weekend by going 1-1 in the Johnny Jones Memorial Tip-Off Tournament.
 
GAME 1: 53-43 W LaGuardia 11/4
 
The new look Vikings started their season off strong with a 53-43 win over visiting LaGuardia Community College. Westchester would open the first quarter with a 20-5 lead thanks to 12 Red Hawk turnovers. Milagros Alston led the team with nine points in the quarter. More of the same came in the second quarter. Alston continued to make a name for herself adding another six points pushing her total to 15 points in the first half. The Vikings also limited their turnovers in the second quarter turning the ball over only four times against LaGuardia.
SUNY WCC, however, fell into a slump in the third quarter. Taking 20 shots, Westchester would only convert five buckets and one free-throw. This gave the Red Hawks some life back in the game as they scored 23 in the third. The Vikings would lock down the final quarter of play only allowing eight total points while converting five LaGuardia turnovers. Alston would finish the day with 17 points and seven rebounds while teammate Baronique Russell would add 10 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Chynna Mincey had a team high nine rebounds in the contest.
 
GAME 2: 84-54 L #13 Hostos
 
The final score may not seem like the game was closer than it was, however, the Vikings gave the thirteenth ranked (D3 NJCAA) Caimans a good run for their money. The first quarter is where SUNY Westchester had to climb out of a 19-0 hole early. Turnovers also plagued the Vikings as they lost the ball 12 times over the quarter. The second quarter SUNY WCC had more of a balanced game. The Vikings limited their turnovers to just two over 10 minutes while shooting 22% from the floor and holding the Caimans to 19 points. Natasha White led the team with 11 points at half.
Westchester came out of halftime with a passion to take down their foes from the Bronx. The Vikings put up 24 on Hostos thanks to Milagros Alston's nine points and White's four steals. The Caiman lead was now down to 23 points however, fatigue would set in. The depth of Hostos' bench showed as fresh legs would continue to come out. The Caimans would lock in the final quarter with 11 points to take the victory. Westchester would be led by Natasha White who had 15 points and four steals while Milagros Alston added 14 points.
 
 
The Vikings look to bounce back in the win column when they travel down to the Bronx to take on the Broncos of Bronx Community College on Thursday November 9^th. Tip-off is scheduled for 6pm.