Westchester Knicks: Top 3 Games Of The 2015-16 Season
Opening Night In Westchester
Date: November 12, 2015
Opponent: Maine Red Claws
Final Score: 105-103, W
There are many reasons to get excited about opening night. After going through a brutal stretch of losses to finish the 2014-15 season—losing 20 of their final 21 games—there was a bit of optimism heading into the season.
More than 2,000 fans filled the Westchester County Center in Westchester, New York to watch the first game of the season. The Knicks were hoping to start the season off on the right note and that’s what happened.
With many new players on the team, the fans at the Westchester County Center were looking forward to seeing their home-state player. That didn’t happen. The New Orleans Pelicans signed the 2015 D-League second overall pick to a 10-day contract due to the injuries the team suffered.
Even without Jimmer Fredette on the roster, the Westchester Knicks needed a collective group of players to step up. The Knicks had a tough challenge on opening night. Their opponent, the Maine Red Claws, won 35 games during the 2014-15 season. Along with that, the Red Claws finished with the best road record (15-9) the previous season.
The game was close from tip-off until the final possession. Even though Westchester took an eight-point lead into the second quarter, Maine mounted a comeback in the second quarter. The Red Claws almost doubled the points they totaled in the first quarter.
After outscoring the Knicks in the second quarter, it was a one possession game entering the second half.
Both teams were at par in the second half. The score was tied up at 103 and Westchester had the possession. With 16 seconds left on the clock, DaJuan Summers knocked down a shot to give the Knicks the lead.
Westchester committed a turnover with eight seconds left in the game and gave Maine one last opportunity. Corey Walden attempted to hit a floater, but couldn’t connect on the shot.
Not only did Westchester take down their division foe, but the win ended their 10-game losing streak dating back to the previous season.
Even though the Westchester County Center was disappointed as their home-state guard was not in uniform, another player had a stellar debut. DaJuan Summers almost finished the game with a double-double, 28 points and nine rebounds, and shot 12-of-22 (.545) from the field.
Along with Summers, Travis Trice, Jordan Bachynski, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo missed out on their first double-double of the season. Trice finished the game with 19 points and seven assists; Bachynski totaled 15 points and nine rebounds; Antetokounmpo recorded 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Sean Marshall was the only player who secured a double-double. He finished the game with 18 points and 11 rebounds.