Box Score

OLD WESTBURY, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury women's basketball team fell to the Wesleyan Cardinals, 69-61, on Friday evening from the Clark Athletic Center.  It was the season opener for both teams.  Old Westbury returns to action on Sunday (Nov. 20) at home against SUNY Geneseo at 1 p.m. while Wesleyan battles SUNY Geneseo on Saturday (Nov. 19) at 4 p.m. in Old Westbury, New York.

In the opening half, the Panthers took an 8-4 lead 4:15 into the contest.  Moments later, Wesleyan's Emily Lippe hit a jumper to pull the Cardinals within one point, 14-13.  Old Westbury responded with a 16-6 run over the final 7:41 to take a 30-19 lead into the half. 

Wesleyan put together a 13-4 run over the opening 2:53 of the second half to cut the deficit down to 34-32.  Old Westbury used a 10-3 run over the next 3:11 to build its lead back up to nine, 44-35.  Wesleyan countered by outscoring Old Westbury 19-11 over the next 6:36 to close the gap to one, 55-54 with 6:27 showing on the second half clock.  Emilly Lippe gave Wesleyan its first lead since the 16:39 mark when she connected on a triple to put the Cardinals ahead, 57-55.  Moments later, Lippe's dropped in a layup to knot the game at 60-60 with 3:09 remaining.  Old Westbury missed their final six shots over the final 2:16 as Wesleyan closed out the game on a 9-1 run to outscore OW 50-31 in the second half en route to victory.   

Old Westbury's Kim Weathers poured in a game-high 29 points to go along with six rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes of action.  DeAndra Scott followed with 11 points and six boards while Deslyn Applewhaite registered 10 points, five rebound and five steals.  Antoinette Jolly added four steals and Myajha Elston chipped in with six rebounds. 

Sam LaCroce led the way for Wesleyan with 24 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field.  LaCroce added nine rebounds (five offensive), two blocks and two steals in 35 minutes of court time.  Emily Lippe followed LaCroce with 13 points in addition to seven assists (game-high), six rebounds and four steals.  Eileen Gaffney pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds and Jenna Klaes contributed six assists and four steals. 

Old Westbury outshot Wesleyan from the field 41.8 percent (23-55) to 41.4 percent (24-58).  Wesleyan knocked down 17-of-35 from the free-throw line while Old Westbury hit 11-of-21. Wesleyan also enjoyed a 40-32 rebounding advantage, including 18-11 off the offensive glass, resulting in 15 second chance points. Old Westbury committed 34 points which Wesleyan converted into 28 points. 

SUNY GENESEO BLUE KNIGHTS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: The Panthers return to the hardwood on Sunday (Nov. 20) for a non-conference battle against the SUNY Geneseo Blue Knights in Old Westbury, New York. Game time is set to tip at 1 p.m. from the Clark Athletic Center.

For the latest news on the Panthers, log on to www.oldwestburypanthers.com – the official site for Old Westbury athletics. Also, become a follower of the Panthers on Twitter (OW_Panthers) and Facebook (Old Westbury Panthers Athletics).