CAMDEN, NJ (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury women's basketball team dropped an 85-73 decision to the Rutgers-Camden Raptors in Camden, New Jersey Saturday evening.  The Panthers, who received a pair of double-digit scoring performances, saw their season record drop to 4-5 while Rutgers-Camden improved to 4-5. 

The Raptors played well out of the gates and grabbed the lead for good when Brittany Turner broke the scoring ice with a jumper at the 19:19 mark.  Alex Gravinese extended the Raptor lead to double-digits (28-18) with 6:02 remaining and Irene Grimanis' free-throw capped a 15-5 run over the final 4:29 to take a 43-25 lead into the half.  Old Westbury struggled shooting the ball in the first-half with a 26.5 percent (9-34) showing from the field.

In the second-half the Raptors would build their lead to as many as 30 points (77-47) with 9:37 to go.  Old Westbury used a 24-8 run over the final 9:21 of the game to pull within 12 points at 85-73 on a pair of free-throws by Chloe Mellon to close out the scoring. 

DeAndra Scott finished with 17 points, leading Old Westbury in scoring for the ninth time this season.  Clarissa Gallagher's 16 points (7-12 FG) tied a season-high and Antoinette Jolly nabbed a season-best six steals.  Chloe Mellon and Nikki Alexander paced Old Westbury with six rebounds.  Old Westbury received 21 points off the bench with Raven Price accounting for nine of those points. 

Chukweze Lillian registered a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds to go with three steals for the Raptors with Alex Gravinese (13 points, 2 steals) and Brittany Turner (13 points) also reaching double-digits.   

The Panthers held their own on the boards, earning a 45-42 rebounding edge, including a 16-11 advantage on the offensive end, resulting in 15 second chance points.  After shooting 50 percent (15-30) from the field in the second-half, Old Westbury managed to shoot 37.5 percent (24-64) for the game while Rutgers-Camden converted 46.9 percent (30-64).  Old Westbury scored 27 points off 25 Rutgers-Camden turnovers. 

MANHATTANVILLE VALIANTS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS:  Old Westbury returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 5) against the Manhattanville Valiants in non-conference road action from Kennedy Gymnasium.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. in Purchase, New York.

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