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OLD WESTBURY, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) – – The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team fell to the Mount Saint Mary Knights 68-64 at home, Saturday afternoon in a Skyline Conference battle.  With the loss, OW moves to 5-6 on the season and 2-2 in conference play while Mount Saint Mary improved to 7-4 and 2-2, respectively.

Both teams went layup-for-layup to open the game until Mari Trebuse nailed a three-pointer to give OW an early 5-3 lead.  Old Westbury held a slim lead from 17:21 to 5:39 in the first half when Donte Howell dropped in a layup to put Mount Saint Mary ahead, 18-16.  Old Westbury regained the lead when Rob Sanders converted a three-point play to put the Panthers up, 21-18.  Old Westbury extended their lead to as many as six (28-22) and took a 28-25 advantage into the half. 

Mount Saint Mary opened the second-half with an 11-2 lead to jump ahead 36-30 with 17:14 left in the half.  Mount Saint Mary's lead ballooned to as many as 11-points (59-48) with 7:02 on the clock.  Down by 11-points, Rashawn McCarthy converted a three-point play to ignite a 16-6 Old Westbury run.  Kerel Mitchell's three-pointer with eight seconds remaining pulled OW within one, 65-64.  Mount Saint Mary hit 3-of-4 from the line over the final five seconds to escape with a 68-64 victory.  

Kerel Mitchell poured in 23 points (9-16 FG) to lead all scorers.  Omari Trebuse and Rob Sanders (8-11 FT) followed with 10 points each while Sanders pulled down eight boards.  Tavon McNair added 10 points and nine rebounds. 
Joe Stabach drilled four three-pointers and finished with a team-high 20 points to lead Mount Saint Mary.  Carlos Valdez dropped in 18 points (7-12 FG) to go along with nine rebounds (five offensive) and two steals.  Donte Howell chipped in with 13 points and, four assists and three steals while Kevin Milella tallied 10 rebounds and three steals. 

Old Westbury outshot Mount Saint Mary from the field 35.7 percent (20-56) to 35.4 percent (23-65).  Old Westbury connected on 6-of-20 (30%) from three-point land while Mount Saint Mary knocked down 7-of-30 (23.3%).  Mount Saint Mary enjoyed a 39-34 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive boards that resulted in 15 second chance points.

MOUNT SAINT VINCENT DOLPHINS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: The Panthers return to the hardwood for Skyline Conference action on Tuesday (Jan. 10) when they host the Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins in Old Westbury, New York.  Game time is set to tip at 7 p.m. inside 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).