Despite 12 points from Al-Ameen Kabba and 10 more from Jihad Ceaser, the Vaughn College Warriors dropped their home opener to John Jay College, 66-53, at Elmcor Recreation Center on Tuesday.

John Jay raced to a 10-point, first-quarter lead and a 35-20 halftime advantage. The Warriors used a strong defensive effort in the second half to pull closer and were within six points with less than three minutes remaining. However, difficulties from the free-throw line late thwarted the Warriors’ comeback effort.

The Warriors play at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue tonight (Nov. 18) and at Culinary Institute on Saturday (Nov. 20).