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BOX SCORE

NEWBURGH, NY (www.oldwestburypanthers.com) –  The SUNY College at Old Westbury women's basketball team fell Thursday evening on the road 71-59 as Mount Saint Mary earned a grind-it-out- Skyline Conference Championship Tournament semifinal win that ended the Panthers' regular-season, but probably not their postseason ride. The Panthers will hold out until Monday's selection special to learn whether their 19-7 overall record has earned an at-large bid for the ECAC Tournament. Mount Saint Mary (24-2) advances to the championship game and will face Farmingdale State at home on Saturday.

The Panthers' recent curse vs. Mount Saint Mary lives on. Mount Saint Mary made it 17 straight over the Panthers Thursday since 2003-04, including four in Skyline Conference Championship Tournament.

The first half was sloppy for Old Westbury, committing 12 turnovers that resulted in 14 Mount Saint Mary points. Old Westbury took its only lead of the game when Kim Weathers banked in a layup with 19 minutes showing on the first half clock to give the Panthers an early 2-0 lead. Mount Saint Mary responded with a 16-3 run from 18:40 to 13:57 to take a 16-5 lead. Deslyn Applewhaite sparked a 13-4 run from 13:41 to 7:03 that Kim Weathers capped with a trey ball to bring Old Westbury within striking distance (20-18). Mount Saint May closed out the final 6:31 of the half with a 16-9 run to take a 36-27 lead into the break.

Mount Saint Mary scored five of the first six points to open up a 41-28 lead early in the second half. Old Westbury roared back with an 8-0 run from 17:23 to 11:33 to cut the deficit down to five (41-36). Mount Saint Mary built its lead back to double-digits on a 17-3 run from 11:08 to 5:14, taking a 58-39 advantage with 5:14 remaining. Old Westbury closed the gap to nine points with 35 ticks left on the clock, but were unable to pull out the upset as Mount Saint Mary advanced to the championship game with a 71-59 victory.

Kim Weathers paced Old Westbury with 22 points, six assists and two steals. Deslyn Applewhaite followed with nine points and six rebounds off the bench while Brittany Jones finished with eight points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in her final Skyline Conference game. Denise Zajonc added eight points and five rebounds while DeAndra Scott wet for seven rebounds.

Jen Macanu led the way for Mount Saint Mary and was one of four Knights to score in double figures. Macanu finished with a game-high 24 points (9-10 FT) and assists followed by Jess Tice, who posted a 12 point, 12 rebound double-double. Amanda Horvers chipped in with 11 points and Kate Kartnett contributed 10 points, nine rebounds and four steals.

Old Westbury outshot Mount Saint Mary from the field 40 percent (22-55) to 37.7 percent (23-61) and hit seven triples compared to MSM's six. Mount Saint Mary knocked down 19-of-26 from the free-throw line while Old Westbury hit 8-of-13. Mount Saint Mary also enjoyed 40-37 rebounding advantage, including 17-12 off the offensive glass, resulting in 21 second chance points. Old Westbury committed 24 points which Mount Saint Mary converted into 20 points.

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