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OLD WESTBURY, NY (www.oldwestburypanthers.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team posted four Panthers in double figures on their way to capturing their second Skyline Conference Regular Season Championship with 95-75 victory over the Sage Gators on “Senior Day” at the Clark Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon. The win moves Old Westbury to 19-6 overall and 17-3 against the Skyline Conference while Sage dipped to 7-18 and 5-15, respectively. 

Lester Prosper got things started for the Panthers, scoring four points in the opening 38 seconds to give Old Westbury the quick lead. The junior scored Old Westbury's first eight points of the contest, while picking up 12 of the first 19. Old Westbury held onto the lead for the remainder of the half, an advantage that grew to 11 points, 24-13, on a trey by Patrick Bonna with 13:01 left to play. Sage fought back and outscored Old Westbury 25-24 over the final 13:01 of the opening frame. Old Westbury took a 43-35 lead into intermission. 

Old Westbury opened the second half on a jumper layup by Lester Prosper to put the home team up 10. Sage scored 12 of the next 20 points to close within six points before the Panthers rattled off eight points to take a 14 point (61-47) lead with 11:46 remaining on the second half clock. Old Westbury's lead grew to as many as 22 on three occasions and outscored Sage in the second half 52-40.

Lester Prosper registered his second consecutive double-double, combining 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field and 13 rebounds (seven offensive) in addition to a pair of swats in 20 minutes of action. Patrick Bonna went for 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Kristopher Afum followed with 17 points and three steals. Hakiem George rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points (5-of-10 FG) and finished with five assist and two steals. Bill Reese contributed nine points, six assists and three steals and Frantz Granjean came off the bench to record eight points, 12 rebounds, four blocked shots and one steal in 25 minutes of court time. 

Leading the way for Sage was Mervin Springer with 22 points while Matt Farbotko added 17. Springer, Farbotko and Marcus Hunter led the Gators with six rebounds each. 

For the game, Old Westbury shot 48.2 percent (41-of-85) from the floor while Sage hit 47.4 percent (27-of-57). Old Westbury scored 60 points in the paint and had 27 points off 21 Sage miscues. Old Westbury won the boards battle, 44-30 including 17-5 advantage off the offensive glass. Old Westbury's 17 offensive rebounds resulted in 19 second chance points.


Old Westbury earned a bye through the opening round of the Skyline Conference Tournament, set for Tuesday-Saturday, February 23-27, and will face the winner of #5 Farmingdale State at #4 Maritime on Thursday, February 25 at 7 p.m. in the semifinal round at the Clark Athletic Center. Please visit www.oldwestburypanthers.com for more information on men's basketball or any of the other Panther athletic teams.