Valhalla, NY – The game of the year by far happened Friday night when the Vikings hosted the Knights or Northern Essex Community College. On paper, Westchester looked as though they would fall to the Second Ranked Division 3 school, however, the old saying goes; "Anything's possible." SUNY WCC would upset the Knights 87-83.
 
The first half started off with a quick five-point lead for Northern Essex but the Vikings battled back tying the game at seven at the 16:48 mark. Throughout the fast-paced half there would be 14 lead changes thanks to Yave Cruz's 12 points and Yenfry Paulino's 11 points and nine rebounds. Westchester would only be down by one heading into halftime seemingly with the hot hand and ready for battle.
 
The Vikings saw the second half with the best-played basketball to date. Almost 53% shooting from the floor, 50% from beyond the arc, and playing hardnosed defense holding the Knights to shooting 35% from the floor and 33% from beyond the arc (6-18). Regardless of their 12 turnovers, smart and simple basketball was played on behalf of SUNY WCC. Elijah Hernandez added 10 points and a clutch step-back three-pointer that would ultimately seal the Vikings victory. Cruz and Paulino would add a combined 17 points while Wyatt Triestman added nine points and eight rebounds in the half.
 
In total, the Knights had two players score 17 points, but the Vikings had five players in double-digits. Cruz ended up with a game-high 21 points while Paulino added 19 points and 12 rebounds. Not to be outdone, Hernandez added 18 points and eight assists while Triestman had a 13-point, 15 rebound performance. Sophomore Jaiden Brown had 10 points and a perfect night at the foul line in the win.
 
SUNY Westchester improves to 6-11 on the year and continue to stride forward with their next game coming on the road against LaGuardia Community College on Thursday January 18^th for a 7pm tip-off.