Wassup in Westchester: W-Knicks drop their first game of 2019

After enduring a very busy December schedule, filled with more games on fewer days and extensive travels, the Westchester Knicks (15-8) returned home in time to celebrate the New Year and prepare for their next opponent. Coming into town on Wednesday night, was the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (10-10) and they brought with them with a very solid effort on both ends of the floor. And it was enough as the Mad Ants outlasted the W-Knicks, 101-93.

Despite both teams having initial struggles creating good offense, the W-Knicks and Mad Ants were very engaged in a back and forth affair. The first half witnessed various runs and lead changes, which were sparked by the high scoring performances from the W-Knicks’ John Jenkins and Sekou Wiggs along with the Mad Ants’ Alize Johnson, who was actually selected by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of last year’s NBA Draft. Jenkins and Wiggs would finish the game with 25 and 20 points, as Johnson scored 31 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.

And while this next part shouldn’t surprise anybody, but the second half of Wednesday’s game was really determined by who had the most help on offense. Although the W-Knicks had four players who scored double digit points, the Mad Ants’ trio of scorers were simply much better. Besides Johnson’s 31 points, Stephan Hicks (24 points and 10 rebounds) and Edmond Sumner (22 Points and six assists) provided the Mad Ants with timely scoring and aggressive play-making that kept them in the lead for the entire second half.

With 4:32 remaining in the game, the W-Knicks managed to cut their deficit to one before the Mad Ants went on a 11-4 run to seal the deal. Up next for the W-Knicks is a Friday night road trip as they go up north to face the Raptors 905.