Van Ness Hits Clutch Three in Upset win over Mohawk Valley

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, November 12, 2022

The Hudson Valley Community College men's basketball team were victorious as Justin Van Ness connected for a game-winning three-point field goal with 35 seconds remaining in the game as the Vikings upset No. 10 ranked Mohawk Valley 68-65 at the McDonough Sports Complex at HVCC on Saturday afternoon.

The Vikings and Hawks were neck-and-neck all game long with the Vikings entering the halftime break leading 29-28. In the first half, the Vikings were led by Demani Benjamin, who shot 4-of-8 for nine points, in all 20 minutes of action. In the second half, Benjamin continued his hot shooting, hitting 6-of-11 from the floor for 12 second half points, the only Viking to score double-digits in the second half.

Kobi Wallace also finished with double-digits, scoring 10 points on 4-of-7 from the floor, including 2-of-2 from the free throw line. The game ultimately came down to a huge three-point field goal by Van Ness as he scored his only three points in the second half on the biggest shot of the game, a catch and shoot three from the corner.

The win gives the Vikings its third straight win over the nationally ranked Mohawk Valley Hawks, dating back to last season and the Vikings are back to .500 as they enter a three-game road trip for the remainder of November.

The Vikings are back in action on Tuesday, November 15 for their rescheduled matchup with Fulton-Montgomery at 6 p.m. in the McDonough Sports Complex. They return to the McDonough Sports Complex on Wednesday, December 7 when they welcome nationally-ranked Herkimer at 7 p.m.