NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - For the second time in three years, the Vaughn College Warriors reached the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) championship game. The men's basketball team squared off against the number one overall seed in the playoffs, Berkeley College (NY). The two teams met just a couple weeks ago in the regular season in which the Knights got the best of an undermanned Warriors team. The atmosphere of the game was intense and electric adding to the rivalry between the two schools.
The Warriors opened up the game with a barrage of long range jump shots, imposing their will on the Knights. However, Vaughn College saw a 13 point lead slip away in the first half and trailed the Knights 36-33 at halftime. Berkeley College would expand their lead in the second half, but the Warriors would claw their way back. In a game where every possession was critical, the Warriors were unable to come up with key plays in big moments. Vaughn College would go on to fall to Berkeley College in the HVIAC championship game.
Michael Pena (Dumont, NJ) put together another special performance. The New Jersey native finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and five steals. Maleec Taylor (Rockville Centre, NY) chipped in 13 points, three assists, and three steals. Sergio Mejia (New York, NY) added 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Warriors end the year with a 16-6 record overall. The men's basketball team will wait to see if they will receive a bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) tournament.
For the full press release of the HVIAC championship game click the link below.