WEST HARTFORD, Conn. --- (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) SUNY Old Westbury men's basketball claimed a 75-72 non-conference victory over the Pine Manor College Gators (2-10) Saturday afternoon at the USJ Holiday Tournament – Presented by Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast from O'Connell Center in West Hartford, Connecticut. With the win, the Panthers (4-5) will play the host University of Saint Joseph Bluejays (8-2) in the 3:30 p.m. championship game.
Pine Manor took an early 3-0 lead at 18:50 after Sayvonn Houston's layup.
Pedro Marquez then drained a jumper to ignite a 10-0 run from 18:02 to 16:14. The Gators responded with a 19-7 run over the next 9:24 to regain the lead, 22-18. The Panthers outscored Pine Manor 18-11 in the remaining 5:46 to claim the lead for good and send the 36-33 game into the break.
Old Westbury opened second-half play with a 14-5 spurt capped by Marquez's layup to build its lead to a game-high 12 points, 50-38, with 16:57 left. The Panthers were able to maintain its lead (66-55) during the span of 9:15. From 5:59 to 25 seconds, Pine Manor put together a 17-7 run to pull within one, 73-72, before
Charles Wingate sank a pair of free-throws to settle the 75-72 final.
Justin Alleyne-Washington finished with 22 points (7-of-10 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals to lead Old Westbury to victory. Marquez followed with 19 points (7-of-16 FG), six rebounds and six assists while
Pierrce Perry swatted away three shots and pulled down eight rebounds (six offensive).
Houston led the way with 23 points (8-of-11 FG, 7-of-9 FT), 11 rebounds and three blocks to pace Pine Manor. Jalen Williams chipped in with 17 points (6-of-11 FG, 3-of-6 3FG, 2-of-2 FT) and two steals while Jalen Bruce added 16 points (6-of-9 FG, 3-of-5 3FG).
In the end, Old Westbury shot 35.8 percent (24-of-67) from the field, 26.7 percent (8-of-30) from three-point territory and 63.3percent (19-of-30) from the free-throw line. By comparison, Pine Manor connected on 49 percent (25-of-51) from the floor, 35 percent (7-of-20) from beyond the arc and 65.2 percent (15-of-23) from the charity stripe. Old Westbury won the boards battle, 41-37, while scoring 19 second-chance points off 20 offensive rebounds. Old Westbury finished with the advantage in blocks (4-3) and steals (10-8) and scored 21 points off 21 Gator turnovers. Pine Manor held the edge in assists (15-13) and points in the paint (32-28). Both teams were even in fastbreak points (10-10) and bench points (16-16).
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