by WHITE PLAINS – The Westchester Knicks (9-20) snapped a seven-game losing streak with a dominating win over the Delaware 87ers (11-18), the final score 126-101.
The Knicks put on a show for the sold-out crowd at the Westchester County Center, finding their footing and racking up points in the paint. Forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Cleanthony Early, on assignment from the New York Knicks, each had impressive dunks in the first quarter, riling up the masses. The pair both found double digits in the first half, Antetokounmpo with 15, Early with 11.
While the first quarter saw quite a bit of back and forth action with eight lead changes and six ties, Westchester went on to win the quarter 33-27, also out-rebounding Delaware 15-7. The Knicks held onto the lead through the second, ending up on top at the half over the 87ers 63-52.
The Antetokounmpo and Early show continued throughout the game, Delaware unable to stop the pair’s athletic charges. Not to be overshadowed, the remaining three starters for Westchester, Darnell Jackson, Ben Strong (Red Lake Nation), and Walker Russell Jr., all hit double digits late in the third quarter. At the 6:31 mark in the third, Westchester held a lead of 21 points over Delaware, although the 87ers kept the quarter close.
Westchester Knicks forward Markeith Cummings decided he wanted a part in the show, pulling off multiple massive dunks in the final quarter. The biggest lead of the game came off of one of those slams, the Knicks then up 32 points. Westchester outscored Delaware by 12 points in the final quarter to secure the win, the final score for the Knicks becoming the highest in franchise history.
It was a true team effort for Westchester, who finished with 28 assists as a team. Early had a game-high 26 points, adding seven rebounds, three steals and two assists. Antetokounmpo ended with 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Six total Westchester players ended in double figures, including Orlando Sanchez and Ben Strong with 12, Darnell Jackson and Walker Russell Jr. with 10.
For Delaware, forward DJ Seeley ran the court with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Guard Jared Cunningham followed with 19 points, also contributing five assists. Drew Gordon posted the sole double-double of the night with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Local Westchester phenom Sean Kilpatrick finished with seven points.
