OLD WESTBURY FALLS TO YESHIVA, 70-62
January 20, 2007
NEW YORK, N.Y. -On Saturday, the Old Westbury men's basketball team lost a crucial Skyline Conference game to Yeshiva University, 70-62. The loss brought the Panthers record to 9-6 overall and 5-2 in the Skyline. Yeshiva is currently in sole possession of seventh place and stands at 9-5 overall and 3-3 record in conference play.
The Panthers went into half-time down by 11, 36-25 due to poor shooting, managing to connect on only 9-of-31 from the field (29 percent). The Panthers out-rebound the Maccabees by 2, 19-17 in the first half, but gave away 9 turnovers. Yeshiva shot 16-of-30 (53 percent) from the field. Shuki Merlis scored 22 first half points on 10-of-12 shooting.
Old Westbury outscored Yeshiva 37-34 in the second half, but wasn't enough to overcome the 11-point first half deficit. The Panthers again out-rebounded Yeshiva by 10, 23-13 in the second half but had no answer for Shuki Merlis in the paint. Merlis finished with a game-high 33 points on 13-of-19 shooting to go along with 9 rebounds (4 offensive).
The Panthers were led by Kenneth Eusey's 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals. Ian Johnson recorded a double-double, netting 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds (6 offensive) to go along with 2 steals. Divine Jackson added 13 points and 9 rebounds (7 offensive). Anthony Stowe came off the bench and contributed 10 points and 1 steal. Dan Kane recorded 4 rebounds (2 offensive) and 2 blocks.
Yeshiva received help from Harel Vatavu, who dished out a game-high 11 assists to go along with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Ian Ribald added 16 points on 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc to go along with 3 assists and 3 steals.
Yeshiva was on fire throughout the game, shooting 53 percent in each half, connecting on 24-of-45 shots. The Panthers out-rebounded Yeshiva by 12, 42-30, including 26-7 in favor of Old Westbury on the offensive boards.
A win would have separated the Panthers from a four-way tie with Manhattanville, Stevens Institute of Technology and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The Panthers will look to bounce back on the road against Farmingdale on Wednesday at 7 PM. For more information about the Old Westbury Panthers, log onto http://www.oldwestburypanthers.com/, to follow your favorite sports and events.