MEN'S HOOPS UNABLE TO UPSET PRIDE
NOVEMBER 24, 2008
Boxscore
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - In their first meeting in
history between the SUNY College at Old Westbury and Hofstra
University, the Old Westbury men's basketball team held two leads
in the first-half, but was unable to pull away from the Pride,
falling 68-50 at the Mack Sports Complex on Monday evening.
With the loss, Old Westbury now sits at 1-2 on the season, while
Hofstra moves to 3-1.
Hofstra led throughout the first four minutes and fifty-one seconds
of the game, but Old Westbury took the lead 8-7 at the 15:09 mark
on a three-pointer by senior Garthlette James (White Plains,
N.Y.). Hofstra answered with a 6-0 run to jump out to a 13-8
lead until junior Dwayne Messam (Brooklyn, N.Y.) connected on a
triple to bring the Panthers within two points. Junior
Kristopher Afum (Bronx, N.Y.) sank one-of-two from the charity
stripe to cap off a 6-0 Old Westbury run that gave the Panthers a
slim, 20-19 lead at the 6:28 mark. Hofstra went on to
outscore Old Westbury over the final 6:28 in the first-half, 9-5 to
take a 28-25 lead at the break, due in part to holding their
opponent to 27.3 percent shooting from the field (6-of-22).
The Pride would come out and quickly take control of the game on an
8-0 run with 15:16 remaining in regulation. Old Westbury
battled back late in the game to slice the deficit to eight points,
54-46 at the 4:28 mark before Hofstra responded with a 14-4 run to
close out the game.
Junior Shane DeNully (Bronx, N.Y.) led Old Westbury with 10
points and four assists in 40 minutes-the only Panther to score in
double figures. Sophomore Lester Prosper (Bellmore, N.Y.) recorded
a game-high 11 rebounds (10 defensive) to go along with eight
points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. The sophomore added
one block and has recorded one rejection in three straight
games. Junior Hakiem George (New York, N.Y.) followed with
nine points off the bench with two triples while Garthlette James
chipped in with eight points and three assists. Dwayne Messam
led the Panthers in their stiff defensive play, swiping two steals
away from the Pride in 33 minutes of action.
In all, Hofstra registered two scorers in double-figures, with
guard Charles Jenkins leading the way with 24 points and six
boards. The Pride got 13 points from Cornelius Vines as
Arminas Urbutis tallied eight points, six rebounds (4 offensive)
and three steals.
Hofstra went 13-for-24 (54.2 percent) from the floor to maintain
the lead throughout the second half. Old Westbury was 9-for-21
(42.9 percent) from the field. Overall, Old Westbury shot
34.9 percent (15-for-43) from the field, while the Pride shot 46.2
percent (24-for-52). Despite grabbing a game-high 11
rebounds, Prosper's efforts were not enough for Old Westbury as
Hofstra edged the Panthers, 34-31 in the rebound department.
The Green and Ivory will pick up their dribble next on Tuesday,
December 2nd to open their Skyline Conference schedule
against St. Joseph's College-L.I. at the Clark Athletic Center.
Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. Please visit www.oldwestburypanthers.com for more information on men's
basketball or any of the other Panther athletic teams.
