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BETHLEHEM, PA (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team used a 57-28 second-half scoring advantage to earn a consolation game win over the Valley Forge Christian Patriots on Tuesday afternoon at the 34th annual Moravian Greyhounds Starters Classic.  The win improves OW to 5-5 on the season while the Patriots drop to 9-5.  Tavon McNair was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 23.5 points (57.5 FG%), 15.5 rebounds (6.5 offensive) and 2.5 steals in two games.
  
Old Westbury buried Valley Forge Christian into an early hole as the Panthers jumped out to an 8-0 lead to start the game.  The Patriots chipped away the OW's lead and grabbed hold of a 14-13 edge on a layup by Andre Howard with 11:50 showing on the first-half clock.  After six lead changes, Valley Forge Christian took a 33-32 advantage as Latrell Alford dropped in a layup with 3:58 remaining to give the Patriots the lead.  Valley Forge Christian used a 6-0 run over the final 1:57 to extend its lead to 44-37 at the half.     

Valley Forge Christian opened the second half to take a 48-39 lead, their largest lead of the game.  Old Westbury responded with an 11-3 run; of which Kerel Mitchell accounted for seven points from 18:17 to 14:40 to give the Panthers a 52-51 lead.  OW put together a 10-1 run from 13:52 to 10:19 as the Panthers jumped ahead 62-52.  OW went on a 9-0 spurt from 5:21 to 4:03 to take an 18-point lead and extended its lead to 20-points (83-63) on a Tavon McNair layup with 3:15 remaining. 

Tavon McNair dropped in his second-straight double-double (third of season) after posting 28 points (10-18 FG) and a career-best 16 rebounds (9 offensive) to go along with three steals in 29 minutes.  Kerel Mitchell scored 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting from floor while Rob Sanders followed with 14 points, hitting 6-of-6 from the field.  Omari Trebuse contributed a career-high 12 point and eight assists and Rashawn McCarthy and Everard Bisnauth scored nine and eight points off the bench, respectively. 

Latrell Alford paced the Patriots with 16 points and six rebounds while Steve Sims, Lance Harris and Justin Kinsey added 12 points each.  Sims and Donnell Davis both nabbed four steals each. 

Old Westbury outshot Valley Forge Christian from the field 50.7 percent (34-67) to 43.5 percent (27-62).  Old Westbury connected on 21-of-30 from the free-throw line while Valley Forge Christian knocked down 14-of-21.  OW also enjoyed a 45-30 rebounding advantage, turning 18 offensive boards into 25 second chance points.  OW also converted 18 Patriot turnovers into 27 points.

MOUNT SAINT MARY KNIGHTS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: The Panthers return to the hardwood for Skyline Conference action on Saturday (Jan.7) when they take on the Mount Saint Mary Knights in Old Westbury, New York.  Game time is set to tip at 4 p.m. inside the Clark Athletic Center.

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