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LANCASTER, PA (www.oldwestburypanthers.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team kicked off the 2011 calendar year at the 44th Annual Franklin & Marshall Sponaugle New Years Tournament against the host Diplomats, who rank 14th in the nation. Old Westbury suffered a 96-85 setback in non-conference play in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and will take on the Wesley Wolverines in the consolation game on Monday (Jan. 3) at 6 p.m. With the defeat, Old Westbury falls to 2-6 on the season, while the Diplomats improve to 8-1.

Old Westbury took a 6-2 lead with 18:54 remaining in the opening half after Jamal Little connected on a trey, but the Diplomats outscored the Panthers 40-25 to take a 42-31 halftime lead, which proved to be too much to overcome, handing the Panthers their third straight loss of the season.

Franklin & Marshall opened the second half with a quick 10-2 spurt through the first 2:24 to take a commanding 19 point lead (52-33). OW responded by scoring 19 of the next 34 points to chop its deficit to 15 (67-52) on a dunk by Jefferson Guillaume at 11:49. From there, F & M was able to build its lead up to 21 (73-52) with 10:08 remaining in regulation.

OW's Lester Prosper scored 28 points and ripped down a career-high 24 rebounds to go along with four swats in 35 minutes of action. Jamal Little followed with 14 points and two steals. Rudy Lys and Jefferson Guillaume added double-digit points off the bench, pouring in 12 and 11, respectively.

James McNally finished as the Diplomats leading scorer with 25 points, followed by Georgio Milligan (21), Mike Baker (18) and Brandon Beckford (13). McNally had a team-best 10 rebounds and Beckford dished out a game-high eight assists.

Old Westbury shot 46.4 percent from the field in the contest, hitting 32-of-69 shots. The Diplomats finished the game shooting 51.4 percent (36-70). OW outrebounded their opponent for the fifth time this season, positing a +7 (44-37) edge on the boards.

WESLEY WOLVERINES UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: The Panthers continue play in the Franklin & Marshall Sponaugle New Years Tournament on Monday (Jan. 3). Old Westbury and the Wesley Wolverines square off in the consolation game in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Tipoff inside the Diplomats' Mayser Gymnasium is set for 6 p.m.

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