THROGGS NECK, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury shot 60.5 percent from the field and led by 16 at the half en route to a 92-73 Skyline Conference road victory against the Maritime Privateers Wednesday evening from Riesenberg Gym.  Old Westbury (12-3) climbed to 7-0 in conference action to hold down first place in the standings as Maritime (1-10) slipped to 0-6 in conference play.
  
Ty Moore broke the scoring ice with a three pointer 21 seconds into play to set the stage for Old Westbury's wire to wire victory.  Moments later, Tyrik Tucker dropped in a layup to expand Old Westbury's lead to double digits, 19-9, with 14:04 remaining in the half.  Maritime closed within four points on a 10-4 run from 13:52 to 11:45 to make it 23-19 game. Four points would be the closest Maritime would pull within as Old Westbury outscored the Privateers 31-19 over the final 11:44 to take a 54-38 lead into the half.  Old Westbury went up by as many as 20 points (54-34) with 1:14 left on a Joshua Bailey layup.  Both teams sizzled in the first half, with Old Westbury making 23-of-38 from the field and Maritime hitting 15-of-30. 

Maritime used a 9-1 run to open the second half to make it a 55-46 game before Old Westbury created separation.  Old Westbury took a commanding 18 point lead with an 11-2 scoring spree from 17:33 to 12:58 for a 66-48 advantage.  Old Westbury's lead blossomed to 24 points with 2:48 showing on the clock to go up 90-66, their largest lead of the game.

Five Panthers scored in double digits led by Kerel Mitchell's 21 points, his ninth 20 point performance of the season.  Mitchell matched a career high with 7-of-9 shooting from three point land and finished the game shooting 7-of-12 from the field.  Tyrik Tucker registered 19 points and nine rebounds while Josh Hill (15 points), Darnell Chavis (13 points) and Ty Moore (11 points) followed in double figures.  Nat Vaughan dished out a game high five assists to go along with two steals.

Ron Bethea poured in a game high 28 points to pace Maritime in defeat.  Sean Corley tallied 18 points and six steals while T-Vaughn Gibson chipped in with 16 points.  Jeremiah Blunt pulled down 10 boards and Bethea added eight.

Old Westbury shot 52.9 percent from the field (37-70), 52.9 percent from three point range (9-17) while struggling from the charity stripe, knocking down just 9-of-19 (47.4%).  Maritime hit 43.3 percent from the floor (26-60), 36.8 percent from long distance (7-19) and 66.7 percent from the free throw line (14-21).  Maritime won the boards battle, 39-36, while Old Westbury scored 13 second chance points off 14 offensive rebounds.  Old Westbury scored 17 points off 24 Maritime turnovers. 

ST. JOSEPH'S-L.I. GOLDEN EAGLES UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: Old Westbury returns to the hardwood for a Skyline Conference road battle with the St. Joseph's-L.I. Golden Eagles on Saturday (Jan. 19) evening from the Danzi Center.  Tip-off is slated for 5:15 p.m. in Patchogue, New York.      

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