Valhalla, NY- This past Friday, The Westchester Lady Vikings would conclude a historic regular season. They traveled to New Rochelle at the MAC to take on the D3 #6 Monroe-Bronx Express. The two teams met 13 days prior with Westchester defeating Monroe 50-48, so another great matchup was definitely in store.

 

Westchester opened the game on a 9–3 run in what was otherwise a slow offensive start for both teams. Scoring was hard to come by early, with several missed shots on each side.Beverly Williams had a strong first quarter knocking down three 3-pointers for The Express. WCC countered with balanced scoring, as four different players found the scoreboard in the opening period. That back and forth action continued into the second quarter. 

 

The second quarter was played within 1 point with multiple lead changes. However with time winding down Freshmen Saniya Bell(Ossining, NY/Ossining High School) made a great individual play — grabbing a defensive rebound and going coast-to-coast for an-and-one layup. She converted the free throw to give Westchester a six-point cushion. and with about 7 seconds left Monroe would manufacture a basket to cut into the Lady Vikings lead, making it a 31-27 game going into halftime.

 

After the break, Westchester made key adjustments and came out sharp in the third quarter. Strong ball movement led to efficient offense, and the Lady Vikings shot nearly 60 percent from the field in the period. Dyshalah Johnson (Yonkers, NY/Gorton High School) and Angelica Rios (Ossining, NY/Ossining High School) each scored six points in the quarter, helping WCC extend the lead to 10 entering the fourth.

Westchester began the final quarter with a 50–40 advantage and stretched the lead to as many as 14 points. However, Monroe-Bronx increased its defensive pressure, forcing 10 turnovers in the fourth quarter and cutting the deficit to as little as two points with multiple chances to tie the game.

Down the stretch, Bell once again delivered. She scored eight points in the fourth quarter and calmly sank two free throws to seal the 64–60 victory.

It was a great team win. WCC had 4 different players score in double figures. Tiandra Martin(Jamaica/Mount Vernon High School)  led all scorers with 15 points. She also had 6 assists and 3 steals. It felt like every time there was a loose ball she ended up with it. Westchester had 2 players score 14 points. Angelica Rios was one and she also had a team and season high 18 rebounds. This was her 8th double double of the season. Shay Johnson was the other player who scored 14 and that was her career high, on a day where Westchester needed it. Saniya Bell also scored in double figures and secured 11 rebounds giving her a double double as well.

 

This concluded a historic regular season for the Lady Vikings. They finished on an 8 game win streak, with a 18-8 record. This is the best since they went 29-5 in the 2012-2013 season and went to the National Tournament. However, this is the best record since the program moved to Division II. There is still plenty of work to be done. After finishing atop the conference standings, Westchester has earned a bye into the championship game. They will take on the winner of #2 Orange Community College and #3 Rockland Community College. The championship game will take place next Sunday March 1st, in Middletown, NY. It will be at the Orange County Community College Campus at 12:00 PM. Come out and support the Lady Vikings as they are competing for their first Region Championship in over 13 years!!