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BETHLEHEM, PA (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team fell by the score of 70-63 to the Moravian Greyhounds in the opening round of the 34th annual Moravian Greyhound Starters Classic Monday evening in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  The loss puts OW at 4-5 on the season while Moravian improved to 4-6.

Old Westbury's Tavon McNair dropped in a layup followed by a triple by Kerel Mitchell to give the Panthers an early 5-0 lead.  Moravian closed to within one-point (13-12) when on a Mark Koelbel layup with 9:40 remaining in the first half.  Old Westbury took a 27-19 lead into the half after closing out the final 9:27 on a 14-7 run.

Omari Trebuse knocked down a three-pointer and Tevon McNair banked in a layup to extend OW's largest lead to 13-points (32-19) just 1:41 out of the break.  Moravian rallied 29-14 over the next 10 minutes to take their first lead on a trey by Jeff Cullinan.  Moravian went up by four-points (58-54) with 3:09 remaining.  Old Westbury battled back to take a 59-58 lead after Tevon McNair threw down a dunk with 2:04 showing on the second half clock.  D.J. Strayhorn drained a pair of free-throw at 1:56 to put Moravian up for good, 60-59.  Moravian outscored Old Westbury 10-4 over the final 1:19 to advance to face Albright College in the championships game.

Tevon McNair paced Old Westbury with his second double-double of the season, combing 19 points (9-15 FG) and 15 rebounds (season-high).  Rob Sanders and Kerel Mitchell followed with 12 points each while Everard Bisnauth chipped in with nine points off the bench.  Sanders pulled down eight boards and Rashawn McCarthy added four steals (season-high).

Moravian registered three players in double figures led by D.J. Strayhorn's 19 points (5-10 3FG).  Jeff Cullinan connected on 6-of-9 from the field and tallied 18 points to go along with 18 rebounds.  Garrett Johnson added 11 points and five assists.  Marcus Hardy nabbed a game-high five steals.      

Old Westbury outshot Moravian from the field 44.1 percent (26-59) to 35.5 percent (22-62).  Old Westbury connected on just 3-of-20 from three-point land while Moravian knocked down 10-of-29.  Moravian also enjoyed a 43-40 rebounding advantage.       

VALLEY FORGE CHRISTIAN PATRIOTS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: The Panthers return to the hardwood for non-conference action on Tuesday (Jan.3) when they take on the Valley Forge Christian Patriots in the consolation game of the 34th annual Moravian Greyhound Starters Classic in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Game time is set to tip at 3 p.m. inside Johnston Hall.  LIVE VIDEO is available by clicking here.

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