Old Westbury Defeats Bearcats (71-60) to Take Third Place at NYU Christmas Tournament
December 30, 2006
NEW YORK, N.Y.-The Old Westbury men's basketball team led most of the way and fought off a second comeback by the Bearcats of Baruch College to clinch third place at the NYU Christmas Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
Old Westbury had three players in double-figures scoring led by Divine Jackson's break-out performance of 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 1 block. NYU All-Christmas Tournament Team selection, Kenneth Eusey scored 12 points and knocked down 4 three-pointers to go along with his 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists. Joshua Frazier contributed with 11 points and was 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Baruch's Brian Forrestal hit a jumper with 13:15 left in the second half to cut the deficit to 42-41, but Old Westbury responded with a 16-6 run to go up comfortably by the score of 58-47 with 8:11 left.
The Bearcats would get close again by the score of 60-54 with four minutes remaining on a jumper by Adrian Serrano, but Old Westbury nailed 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch to pull way for their fourth victory of the season.
The Bearcats were led by Carl Emengo 17 points (15 in first half). He finished the holiday tournament with 53 total points and was named to the All-Tournament team.
The 23rd ranked NYU men's basketball team won the tournament by defeating Clark, 64-54.
The Panthers will return to action this upcoming Saturday night with a non-conference road game against Maryland Bible at the Villa Julie College Tournament. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 pm. Old Westbury will face either Villa Julie or Lebanon Valley College on day two of the tournament. For more information about the Old Westbury Panthers, log onto http://www.oldwestburypanthers.com/, to follow your favorite sports and events.