MEN'S BASKETBALL HOLDS OFF BARD COLLEGE, 86-83
FEBRUARY 16, 2008
ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.-The SUNY College at Old Westbury Men's Basketball team won an 86-83 decision at Skyline Conference opponent, Bard College on Saturday afternoon. Old Westbury improves to 14-9 overall and 13-3 in league play while Bard College falls to 7-16 on the season and 4-12 in conference action.
The Green and Ivory went back and forth with Bard College until the 2:02 mark when Garthlette James dropped in a lay up to put the Panthers up, 37-36. Old Westbury went into the half-way point, up 43-41. Late in the second half James gave the Panthers an 81-79 lead and would not trail for the rest of the contest. Ian Johnson followed with a lay up and a pair of free-throws. The final shot came down to Demitrius Washington, who miss-fired on a three pointer to thwart any possible comeback attempt. Old Westbury held off the Raptors en route to an 86-83 victory on the road.
Garthlette James had 20 points and 12 rebounds in leading the Panthers to victory. James included 8-of-13 shooting along with five assists, four steals and one block. Down low, Lester Proper posted a double-double, finishing with 15 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks while Divine Jackson added 12 rebounds and two steals. Brandon Mays poured in 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field and Shane DeNully contributed 12 points including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Ian Johnson and Eddie Hood chipped in with two steals apiece.
Bard College registered five Raptors in double-digits led by Raymond Aroocho's 18 points. Arocho included eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals while Justin White totaled 14 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Christian Marghella (11 points, 2 steals) along with David Polett (12 points), Demitrius Washington (13 points, 2 steals) followed in addition to Elijah Struass, who added six points and eights rebounds.
Old Westbury dominated Bard in the rebound department, 55-39, including 24-15 advantage off the offensive glass. The Old Westbury defensive attack tallied 12 steals and pressured the Raptors into 16 turnovers. The Panthers shot 45.6 percent on for the game while Bard landed 43.3 percent from the field.
Old Westbury returns to action on Wednesday night at the Clark Athletic Center for Senior Night against Purchase College. Game-time is slated for 8:00 p.m. and tickets can be purchased one hour prior to tip-off in the lobby of the Clark Athletic Center. For more information about the Old Westbury Panthers, or to follow your favorite Panther sports and events, log onto http://www.oldwestburypanthers.com/.