Vaughn Phoenix Hold Off Huskies 73-68 in Season Opener
QUEENS, NY – The Vaughn College Phoenix kicked off their 2024-25 season with a hard-fought 73-68 victory over the Word of Life Huskies on November 2, 2024, at the Elmcor Recreation Center. The Phoenix led by 9 points at halftime and held off a late surge from the Huskies to secure the win.
How It Happened:
The Phoenix came out strong, taking a 43-34 lead into halftime behind the hot shooting of Edwards and Roselle. Edwards was particularly sharp from three-point range.
The Huskies mounted a comeback in the second half, led by Hayden Grant, who finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, but Vaughn maintained its lead. Word of Life cut the Phoenix lead in the final minute, but Roselle and Edwards hit clutch free throws to seal the win for Vaughn, 73-68.
Key Performance:
Nathaniel Edwards was the leading scorer for Vaughn, finishing with 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-7 from three. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, making a major impact on both offense and defense.
Seth Roselle contributed 17 points, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and going 5-of-10 from the free-throw line, along with 2 rebounds and 3 assists.
Key Contributors:
Bartosz Sawon had a strong all-around performance, contributing 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Despite shooting 5-of-17, Sawon's effort in the paint was crucial in helping the Phoenix secure the victory.
Jose Melendez was a spark off the bench, adding 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting and hitting 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Melendez's energy and scoring ability provided the Phoenix with a needed lift during key stretches of the game.
Team Stats:
The Phoenix shot 36.8% from the field (25-of-68) and 45.5% from three (10-of-22), which played a critical role in maintaining their lead throughout the game. Vaughn also shot 54.2% from the free-throw line (13-of-24).
The Huskies struggled with their shooting, finishing at 31.8% from the field (28-of-88) and 15.0% from beyond the arc (3-of-20). However, Word of Life College kept the game close, especially with a strong rebounding effort, finishing with 55 total rebounds.
Next Up:
The Phoenix will travel to Webb Institute for their next matchup on November 14 at 6:00 p.m. This game presents another opportunity for the Phoenix to continue building on their strong start to the season and improve their shooting and defense as they face a new challenge on the road.