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BOX SCORE

KINGS POINT, NY (www.oldwestburypanthers.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury women's basketball team defeated the United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners, 64-59, Thursday evening on the road at the James W. Liebertz Gymnasium. OW picked up the win in Kings Point, New York for the first time since defeating the Mariners on Feb. 21, 2006, 55-39. Old Westbury improved to 5-2 on the season while USMMA dipped to 4-5. Head Coach Michael Krasnoff notched his 100th career victory Thursday evening to improve to 100-89 in eight seasons at the helm for Old Westbury.     

The Panthers led nearly wire to wire in the first-half with the only tied score coming with 1:45 left on the clock. OW's DeAndra Scott scored five of the first nine points for Old Westbury to jump out 9-2 at the 15:29 mark. Scott hit a pair of free throws with 10:05 left in the first-half to make it 25-10, OW's largest lead of the game. USMMA responded with an 18-5 run over the final 9:49 and the Panthers settled for a two point lead (30-28) at the break. 

USMMA took the lead on a three-pointer by Tamara Kaileh to go up one (33-32) with 18:01 left in the second-half. The Mariners went on an 18-8 offensive spurt from 17:30 to 10:01 to open up an eight point lead (51-43) on a layup by Kristina Walz. Kim Weathers sank a trey a 9:51 to spark OW's 16-6 run that put Panthers ahead for good with 5:02 remaining on the second-half clock on a layup by Weathers. Old Westbury continued with the pressure down the stretch, outscoring the Mariners 10-2 over the final 3:43 to preserve the road victory. 

Freshman Kim Weathers scored a career-high 30 points in leading the Panthers to victory. Weathers hit 10 of 21 shots from the floor and six of nine from long range to go along with two steals in 40 minutes of action. DeAndrea Scott nabbed a career-best five steals to go along with 14 points and seven rebounds. Denise Zajonc * dropped in 12 points connecting on six of eight from the field while Brittany Jones added eight boards and five steals. Ruth Vargas finished with five rebounds, whipping off four offensive rebounds off the glass in 12 minutes off the bench. 

Rebecca Grimes led the Mariners with 20 points with Tanara Kaileh chipping in with 15. 

Old Westbury won the boards battle, 43-40, including 22-13 off the offensive glass and committed 10 less turnovers (22-32). The Panthers shot 35.6 percent from the floor and hit 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. Old Westbury hit eight of 21 from long range while USMMA shot 41.1 percent from the floor and landed eight of 16 from long range. 

YORK CARDINALS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: Old Westbury returns to the court on Saturday (Dec. 18), taking on the York Cardinals in a non-conference battle in Old Westbury, New York. Game time is set to tip at 2 p.m. from the Clark Athletic Center.

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