Valhalla, NY – Men's basketball fell to the Monroe College Mustangs last night 93-68 to put them at 7-12 on the year.
 
The Vikings, coming off a two-game win streak, seemed to be playing good fundamental basketball heading into this heavyweight match-up. They would start the first half strong going ahead by five points thanks to a Jaiden Brown three at the 13:24 mark. The Mustangs (17-5) would take back the lead at the 11:17 mark with a Hassan Washington layup. From there, Monroe would go on a 10-3 run to open the game up to an eight-point advantage. The Mustangs then pushed the margin to a 13 point lead before Westchester inched back keeping it a 10 point game going into halftime. The Vikings held Monroe to a 12.5% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, however, Westchester shot 22.9% from the field with Elijah Hernandez leading the team with eight points.
 
The second half saw Monroe show off their muscles. The Mustangs would shoot 53% from the floor with all their made baskets inside the three-point line. The Vikings were led in the second half by Freshman Wyatt Triestman who had a quiet 19 points and Sophomore Yenfry Paulino who added 14 points of his own. Turnovers would also be a key factor against SUNY WCC turning the ball over 14 times.
 
In total, the Vikings were led by Triestman who had a game-high 25 points and 15 rebounds. Paulino finished the evening with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists while Hernandez would add 10 points and seven assists off the bench for Westchester. Monroe was led by Ziare Wells who had a team-high 16 points.
 
Westchester looks to right the ship with a home game tomorrow, January 27^th, against Region 19 foe Raritan Valley. Tip-off at Viking Gymnasium will be at 1pm.