Eusey Lifts Panthers past the Mustangs to win 9th Annual Legg Mason Winter Classic
January 7, 2007
STEVENSON, MD.-- In the
Championship game of the 9th Annual Legg Mason Winter Classic, the
Mustangs of Villa Julie College hosted the Panthers of SUNY College
at Old Westbury.
The beginning was a defensive battle and remained scoreless until
the 17 minute mark when Old Westbury's Anthony Stowe hit a lay up
to put the Panthers ahead 2-0. The lay up was responded to
moments later by Villa Julie's Phil Williams three-point shot to
put the Mustangs up 3-2.
The Mustangs rallied off of Elysian Richardson's three steals
that led to three lay-ups that put them ahead 21-14. The half
ended with Williams sinking a three-point shot to give the Mustangs
the lead 26-21.
The second half began and the Mustangs maintained control of the
game until Divine Jackson's jumper, gave the Panthers the lead,
34-32. The Panthers continued on their run and started to
take control of the game until; Williams sunk a three-point shot
giving the Mustangs the lead 41-40.
Then the Panthers gained control once more outscoring the Mustangs
by as many as seven points until Garthlette James turned the ball
over and the Mustangs converted by sinking a lay-up to make the
score 45-48. Villa Julie's Jason Lambert sunk two three-point
shots and a lay-up to get the Mustangs shy of the lead,
54-53. He then went on to steal the ball with a
minute left in the game to give the Mustangs the force to take
control.
However, Old Westbury's Joshua Frazier sunk a lay-up with 36
seconds on the clock making the score 56-53; forcing the
Mustangs to knock down a three-point shot. After a few
timeouts called and a three-point shot that hit the rim with
.05 seconds left, the Mustangs sunk a lay-up at the buzzer to put
them one point shy of the Tournament Championship. Old
Westbury prevailed on the road with the win 56-55.
The Panthers were led by Joshua Frazier's game-high 13 points
Kenneth Eusey's 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block.
Garthlette James came off the bench and was 6-of-6 from the field
for 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds and blocked 2 shots.
Senior Derrick DeLoney provided veteran leadership off-the bench
contributing 7 points on 3-of-5 shooting, 4 rebounds (2 offensive)
and a steal.
Phillip Williams and Jason Lambert both led the Mustangs scoring
13 points each. Lambert also added 7 boards (4 offensive) and
2 assists.
Lebannon Valley College defeated Maryland Bible 93-80 in the Third
place consolation game. Kenneth Eusey was named Tournament
MVP and Joshua Frazier and Garthlette James were named to the
All-Tournament Team.
Overall Old Westbury's record improves to 6-4 and is 2-1 in Skyline play. They travel to take on New Paltz on Wednesday, January 10, at 7 pm. For more information about the Old Westbury Panthers, log onto http://www.oldwestburypanthers.com/, to follow your favorite sports and events.