The Baruch College Bearcats suffered an 88-72 loss to the Panthers from The College at Old Westbury in an ECAC Metro Division III Championship Tournament quarterfinal game played on Wednesday night in the ARC Arena.

The season ends for the Bearcats with a 17-11 record, while the Panthers (23-5) advance to the semifinal round on Saturday to play against New Jersey City University in Galloway, New Jersey.

The Bearcats came out slow and the Panthers, who averaged 86.6 points per game, took advantage to take a 21-6 lead with 10:28 left in the first half.

Their lead grew to as much as 17 points (38-21) before the Bearcats scored the final seven points of the half to cut the score to 38-28 at intermission. They kept the momentum going in the second half by scoring the first eight points to trail 38-36 with 18:20 left.

Matas Rasciuslater hit a jumper to tie the score at 44, but the Panthers responded with a 14-1 run to go back up by double-digits, 58-45, with 10:57 left.

The Panthers never let up and finished the second half shooting 53.1 percent (17-for-32) to record the 88-72 quarterfinal victory.

Rascius led the Bearcats with a season-high 13 points (6-8 FG), while Fuat Yapartotaled 11 points. Rob Goldsteinfinished with 10 points and two assists.

Kerel Mitchel led five players in double-figure scoring for Old Westbury with 20 points and six steals. Ty Moore had 18 points and five rebounds.

2013 ECAC DIVISION III METRO CHAMPIONSHIP
Wednesday, February 27
Quarterfinals
#1 Richard Stockton (20-7) defeated #8 Sage (13-14), 79-69
#2 SUNY-Old Westbury (23-4) defeated #7 Baruch (17-11), 88-72
#5 John Jay (16-13) defeated #4 Mount Saint Mary (19-9), 64-61
#6 New Jersey City (15-12) defeated #3 NYU (15-11), 74-66

Saturday, March 2
Semifinals (at Richard Stockton)
#1 Richard Stockton vs #5 John Jay, TBA
#2 SUNY-Old Westbury vs #6 New Jersey City, TBA

Sunday, March 3
Championship
Semifinal Winners, TBA