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NJCAA Region 15
Photo Courtesy of Westchester Athletics
Photo Courtesy of Westchester Athletics

SUNY Westchester Women's Basketball Wins First Region 15 Championship Since 2013

Courtesy of SUNY Westchester Athletics

 

Valhalla, NY - This past Sunday the SUNY Westchester Lady Vikings made history and captured the elusive Region 15 Championship for the first time since 2013! It is the first time since moving to the Division II level that they were able to win it and they did it in dominating fashion beating Orange County Community College by a score 83-43.

 

It was Westchester all the way from beginning to end, after one quarter of play they were by a score of 27-5 led by freshmen standout Saniya Bell(Ossining,NY/Ossining High School) who had 12 points in the first quarter on four 3-point shots. Angelica Rios(Ossining,NY/Ossining High School High School), also had seven in the first quarter which helped them jump out to that big lead. The Lady Vikings defense was stifling in the first half holding the Colts to just two made field goals in the first half and only 10 points.

 

WCC came out in the third quarter and sealed the game with more lights-out shooting. Bell put eight points in the third as well as fellow freshmen Daveya Rodriguez(Beacon,NY/Beacon High School) who was perfect in the stanza. She knocked down the only shot she took as well as going 6-6 from the free throw line. Through three quarters Westchester shot a scorching 52% from the field and 50% from three. A dominating offensive output in the biggest game of the year.

 

As the fourth quarter winded down the energy from the WCC players and fans rose as they could feel they were about to be champions and when that final buzzer sounded they stormed the court and celebrated their remarkable accomplishment. After previous seasons of uncertainty it was a tremendous achievement to not only finish this season but to finish it on top and be crowned Region 15 champions. 

 

It was another great performance by Saniya Bell who scored 26 points. Bell made history by breaking the single season scoring record for Women's Basketball. It was 528 points that was set by another Ossining guard, Adrianna McFadden back in 2023. Bell broke the record in the first quarter with a three from the left corner. Two other Lady Vikings scored in double figures as Tiandra Martin(Jamaica/Mount Vernon High School) had 16 points and Rodriguez finished with 15. Also, Saniya Bell walked away with the Tournament MVP, Angelica Rios and Daveya Rodriguez also made All-Tournament Teams, so a big congratulations to them.

 

The journey isn't done for the WCC, as they now shift their focus to the District Tournament. Since Region 15 is the host it will take place right here in Valhalla, NY at Vikings Gymnasium. The Vikings will take on Harcum College who is the Region 19 winner and the #3 overall team in the country who holds a record of 25-1. The winner will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament. The game will take place at 1:00 PM. Come out and support your WCC Lady Vikings as they look to continue to make history.