WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOPS PURCHASE, 76-66
FEBRUARY 20, 2008
OLD WESTBURY, N.Y.-The SUNY College at Old Westbury Women's Basketball team defeated Skyline Conference opponent, Purchase College, 77-66 on Wednesday evening at the Clark Athletic Center. Old Westbury improves to 11-13 overall and 6-11 in league play while Purchase falls to 13-11 on the season and 10-7 in conference action.
Old Westbury and Purchase went back and forth early in the opening half until Jennifer Danio connected on a three-pointer to give Purchase their largest lead of the game, 33-22 at the 4:24 mark. Ashley Freeman responded with a three ball of her own to cut the deficit to single digits. Old Westbury went into the half down, 35-29. Purchase put together a quick 6-0 run to open the second-half but couldn't contain Freeman, who ignited the Panthers in the second-half, scoring 21 points on 6-of-10 from downtown. Ashley Freeman responded with a three-pointer that started an 18-3 run, giving the Panthers a 47-44 advantage with 12:58 remaining in the game. The Panthers out-paced Purchase from the 12:58 mark, out-scoring them, 29-22 down the stretch to pull away with a hard fought conference victory.
Ashley Freeman registered a career-high 27 points on senior night to lead the Panthers onto victory. Freeman included eight triples, seven rebounds, two steals and one block while Pamela Robinson followed with 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. Shannon Gilly recorded a double-double, finishing with 20 rebounds, 10 points, and three blocks. Shameeka Bryan pulled-down 17 rebounds to go along with eight points, five assists and four steals at the same time as Krystal Garner had eight rebounds and seven points.
Purchase was led by Jennifer Danio's 25 point effort. Danio knocked down four three-pointers in addition to five rebounds while Jessie Dome had 11 points and four assists. Jennifer Ciardulli totaled 10 points and Liila Mack chipped in with nine rebounds and eight points.
Old Westbury out-rebounded Purchase, 61-40 including 25-12 off the offensive glass. The two teams totaled 50 turnovers, of which Purchase coughed up 26 giveaways while Old Westbury nabbed 13 steals. Old Westbury shot 25-of-77 (32.5%) for the game as Purchase connected on 24-of-72 (33.3%).
Old Westbury returns to action on Saturday, February 24th at Skyline Conference opponent, Russell Sage College. For more information about the Old Westbury Panthers, or to follow your favorite Panther sports and events, log onto http://www.oldwestburypanthers.com/.