Westchester Knicks Rally Past Blue Coats in High-Scoring Battle
Coming off a 125-122 loss on Wednesday night against the Delaware Blue Coats, the Westchester Knicks sought revenge. Westchester dominated Delaware 132-120 in their second-highest scoring output all season. A well-balanced attack led the Knicks, with five players scoring in double figures and three players finishing with 20 or more points.
T.J. Warren led the way with 25 in his second start of the season, with young phenom Dink Pate finishing with 25 of his own and Dillon Jones chipping in 23, respectively. Meanwhile, Delaware guard Kennedy Chandler led the way with a 25-point double-double to pair with 10 assists as the Blue Coats suffered their 11th loss of the season.
The Delaware Blue Coats came out aggressively on both ends, scoring 13 efficient points in the first three minutes. Their energy set the tone early, but Westchester refused to fold on the road.
After Delaware’s hot start, Pate connected on a three-pointer to tie the game at 14. The Knicks briefly grabbed momentum, taking a 24-21 lead during a small push midway through the quarter.
Delaware answered immediately. Veteran guard Malcolm Hill converted a three-point play to tie the game at 24, reinforcing the Blue Coats’ relentless approach. Second-chance opportunities and strong perimeter shooting helped Delaware take a 34-29 lead with 1:18 left in the first.
Westchester countered with an explosive shooting display, knocking down six three-pointers in the quarter. Despite that surge, Delaware held a narrow 36-33 lead after one.
Roby’s Threes Swing Momentum
The pace accelerated early in the second quarter as Westchester seized control. Back-to-back three-pointers from Isaiah Roby gave the Knicks a 43-38 lead, forcing Delaware to call a timeout.
As the tempo slowed, Teddy Allen provided a spark for the Blue Coats, drilling back-to-back threes to tie the score at 48 midway through the period. Delaware’s second-chance points and disruptive defense fueled another rally, tying the game for the fourth time at 59.
An unforced turnover by Jones led to a putback dunk, briefly giving Delaware the lead with under a minute remaining in the second. Jones responded emphatically, capping a scorching shooting half with a clutch three to give Westchester a 66-65 edge. The Knicks carried a 68-65 lead into halftime, finishing with 11 made threes.
The first half featured 14 lead changes and six ties. Warren led Westchester with 17 points and four rebounds, while Chandler paced Delaware with 18 points and seven assists.
Third Quarter Turning Point
The second half mirrored the first, with both teams trading baskets early. Williams showcased his scoring ability, knocking down five quick points to give Delaware a two-point lead with 5:53 remaining in the third.
However, Westchester responded with authority. The Knicks unleashed a 17-7 run, building a 10-point cushion as Delaware’s defense began to falter against Westchester’s crisp ball movement.
Knicks Pull Away in the Fourth
Westchester’s offensive rhythm carried into the fourth quarter. Isaiah Roby’s dunk pushed the lead to 15 with 7:02 remaining, capitalizing on Delaware’s cold shooting start.
Shortly after, Nick Jourdain scored a three-pointer to increase the lead to 20, ensuring the game remained firmly out of reach. The Knicks were able to neutralize Chandler’s effectiveness to 3-of-11 from the field in the second half after shooting 70% in the first, along with six turnovers overall.
What started as a fiercely contested, high-scoring contest ultimately transformed into a decisive road victory for the Knicks, who excelled in crucial moments. Delaware now leads the Motor City Cruise by just one game in the loss column in the Eastern Conference Standings, and the playoffs are scheduled to start on March 31.
Meanwhile, while the Knicks are out of playoff contention, the result is a promising win against a legitimate playoff team. They will get a needed break before facing the Raptors 905 at 11 am ET on March 12.
