Vaughn Warriors Defeat Berkeley to Advance to Finals

Overcoming a 14 point halftime deficit, the Vaughn Warriors men's basketball team defeated Berkeley College 73-70 in the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) semifinals.  Vaughn advanced to a finals showdown with top-seeded St. Joseph's.  The game will be played Sunday, February 16 at the College of New Rochelle. Tip off is at 2 p.m.

Vaughn rode the hot shooting hand of guard Michael Pena, a transfer from Dumont, NJ , who dominated offensively scoring 32 points.  During Vaughn's furious second half rally, Pena drained consecutive three pointers and added clutch free throws down the stretch, finishing 12 of 14 from the line.  Guard Rashad Luckett from Missouri City, TX, led the defensive charge with eight rebounds and six steals, while chipping in 11 points.  Eric McDonald led Vaughn with 11 rebounds. 

 "I'm proud of how our team performed today," said Vaughn's first year coach Ricky McCollum.  "But, we understand the challenge ahead and are focused on tomorrow's championship game."  The Warriors will face a talented St. Joseph's squad, who finished the season undefeated in conference play.  St. Joseph's advanced to the final after easily handling Albany College of Pharmacy in the first semifinal.