The Warriors hosted the Pratt Institute Cannoneers on Thursday, February 16. The Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) matc-up was the last game of the regular season for both teams. While the Cannoneers entered the game out of playoff contention, a win for the Warriors would guarantee Vaughn College a number two seed in post season play.
It was a special night as Vaughn College paid its respects to everyone who has been affected by Breast Cancer. It was also senior night for the Warriors' lone senior and three year captain, Michael Pena (Dumont, NJ).
Pena has had a magical Vaughn College career both on the court and in the classroom. He has won many athletic and academic accolades from the HVIAC and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Pena has been a four year starter for the Vaughn Warriors. He holds the men's program record for most points scored in a single game (40 points) and is the first player to score all of his 1000 career points at Vaughn College. Entering the contest Pena had scored 1406 points in a Warriors' uniform. In the 2015-16 season, Pena was named HVIAC Player of the Year and was a First Team USCAA All-American.
The point guard/shooting guard did not disappoint the home fans in his last home game of his Vaughn College basketball career. Pena finished the game recording the first triple-double in program history with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
The Warriors would defeat the Cannoneers handedly and improve their record to 6-2 in the HVIAC and 14-5 overall.
Sophomore guard Jessie Rosario (New York, NY) and freshman guard Carlos Montes (Yonkers, NY) also had career nights. Rosario scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Montes poured in 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. John Jimenez (Yonkers, NY) chipped in 15 points. Lamink Barr (Yonkers, NY) added 13 points and six rebounds.
The men's basketball team will play against the College of New Rochelle Blue Angels as the number seed in the HVIAC playoffs on Saturday, February 18. The College of New Rochelle will be the host site for the HVIAC playoffs.