OLD WESTBURY SOARS PAST THE BLUE KNIGHTS, 85-75
January 13, 2007
NEWBURGH, N.Y. - Despite trailing 42-40 at halftime, the Old Westbury men's basketball team stepped up in the second half. The Panthers outscored the Blue Knights 45-33 in the second half to cruise to a 85-75 victory over Mount Saint Mary.
Old Westbury shot lights out, connecting on 30-of-66 field goals (45.5 percent) for the game. The Panthers shot 50 percent from beyond the arc (8-of-16) and 17-of-23 from the free-throw line. The Blue Knights, on the other hand, shot 22-of-62 (36 percent) from the field and 6-of-23 (26 percent) from behind the arc.
With a 42-40 deficit at half-time the Panthers had to find a way to grasp hold of the lead. Following two free throws at the 16:44 mark of the second half, the Blue Knights led 49-47. It would be the last time they would have the lead in the game. The Panthers went on a 15-4 run that included two three-pointers from Kenneth Eusey and took a nine point lead with just under twelve minutes to go. Mount Saint Mary guard Mike Hoyt put up 40 points and 6 rebounds in a losing effort. In the first half Hoyt shot 9-of-13 from the field and connected on 4-three-pointers, to keep his team in the game.
With the game in reach, the Panthers increased their defensive pressure. The pressure caused Hoyt to crumble, holding him to 1-of-10 shooting from the field in the second half. Hoyt ended the game shooting 10-of-23 from the field, 5-of-11 from beyond the arc and 15-of-17 from the free-throw line.
The Panthers had five players in double-digits. Kenneth Eusey led the way with 20 points, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in addition to 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Garthlette James added 14 points, 6 rebounds (3 offensive), 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Divine Jackson contributed with 12 points, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Ian Johnson had 10 points, 5 rebounds (3 offensive) and 1 steal. Anthony Stowe came off the bench and scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting to go along with 2 steals and 3 rebounds.
The Blue Knights (4-9 Overall, 1-4 Skyline) out-rebounded the Panthers 45-34. Chris Harrison finished with a school-record 21 rebounds (13 offensive) to go along with 7 points and 3 blocks. Matt Cunningham added 11 boards (5 offensive).
The Panthers improve to 7-5 overall and 3-1 in the Skyline. Old Westbury's next game will be on the road against St. Joseph's College (LI) on January 16. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 PM. For more information about the Old Westbury Panthers, log onto http://www.oldwestburypanthers.com/, to follow your favorite sports and events.