ST. MARY'S CITY, MD (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) –The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team took an 18-point lead into the half and cruised to a 97-67 victory over the Swarthmore Garnet Sunday afternoon at the Seahawk Holiday Classic.  Over the last two games, Kerel Mitchell averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals while Tyrik Tucker recorded 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.0 steals to earn All-Classic Team honors.  The win extended Old Westbury's win streak to four with an 8-2 record while Swarthmore dropped to 3-8. 

Tyrik Tucker knocked down a jumper and Kerel Mitchell connected on a three-pointer as Old Westbury took an early 5-0 lead to start the game.  Swartmore then scored 10 of the next 14 points to take their first lead of the game on a Jordan Federer layup.  After Old Westbury took back the lead on a 6-0 spurt, Swarthmore answered with a 6-0 run of their own to go up 16-15 with 12:01 remaining.  Josh Hill's layup with 11:46 showing on the clock gave Old Westbury the lead for good, kicking starting a 28-8 run over the next 7:29 for a commanding 43-24 advantage.  Old Westbury took a 50-32 lead into the half. 

Still in control in the second-half, Old Westbury used a 16-6 run over the opening 5:12 for a 66-38 lead.  Old Westbury's lead swelled to as many as 32 points when Nat Vaughan sank a pair of free-throws with 1:54 remaining for a 95-63 lead.  

Tyrik Tucker led all scorers with 23 points (8-13 FG, 7-10 FT) to go along with six steals (career-high) and six rebounds.  Kerel Mitchell finished with 21 points (7-12 FG), five rebounds and three steals, marking the seventh time her scored 20 or more points this season.  Josh Hill followed with 18 points (8-13 FG) off the bench and Rashawn McCarthy added 11.  Omari Trebuse chipped in with a game-high five assists while pulling down five boards.
Karl Barkley paced Swarthmore with 12 points and Ethan Lee contributed seven points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Old Westbury finished the game shooting 51.5 percent from the field (34-66), 31.6 percent from three-point territory (6-19) and 82.1 percent from the free-throw line (23-28).  Swarthmore hit 36.2 percent from the floor (25-69), 29 percent from beyond the arc (9-31) and 47.1 percent from the charity stripe (8-17).  Old Westbury won the boards battle, 43-42, and converted nine offensive rebounds into 11 second chance points.  Old Westbury also turned 21 Swarthmore turnovers into 28 points. 
 
MOUNT SAINT VINCENT DOLPHINS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: Old Westbury returns to the hardwood for a Skyline Conference road battle on Monday (Jan. 7) evening, taking on the Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins in Riverdale, New York.  Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. from the Sharp 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 "LIKE" Us on Facebook (Old Westbury Panthers Athletics / Old Westbury Athletics Alumni).