OLD WESTBURY, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) - The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team trailed by 16 points at the half and finally grabbed a lead with less than four minutes remaining to win 72-71 over the visiting Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins on Tuesday evening in Skyline Conference action from the Clark Athletic Center.  Old Westbury (17-3) wins for the seventh straight game, improving to 12-0 in conference play while sending Mount Saint Vincent (6-13) to 3-9.

Mount Saint Vincent was out to make a statement against the first place Panthers, grabbing an early 3-0 lead off a Sean Caputo three pointer.  Mount Saint Vincent held a 6-0 lead as Old Westbury opened the game shooting 0-for-6 from the field.  Rashawn McCarthy rattled home a three pointer to put Old Westbury on the board, sparking a 10-2 run from 15:15 to 12:59 for a 10-8 lead.  Antonio Johnson's triple pushed Mount Saint Vincent ahead 15-12 with 11:10 remaining.  Mount Saint Vincent created separation with a 15-5 run over the final 5:35 to hold a 40-25 half time lead.

Old Westbury fell behind by as many as 16 points in the opening 2:07, but managed to stay in the game by limiting Mount Saint Vincent to shooting 32.1 percent over the final 20 minutes.  Trailing by 14 points with 11:43 left, Tyrik Tucker scored 11 of Old Westbury's next 14 points to find themselves within striking distance, down 57-53 with 7:05 remaining.  Josh Hill scored six straight points for Old Westbury, making it a 60-59 game with 5:24 left.  Tyrik Tucker dropped in a layup with 3:34 to put Old Westbury up for good, 65-64.  Successful trips to the line for Mount Saint Vincent's D'Andre McPhatter and Sean Caputo brought them within one point, 69-68.  Hill converted a three point play to go up 72-68 with 1:07 left and a trey by James Zuccaro gave Mount Saint Vincent a chance down one with 55 seconds showing on the clock.  Following a missed three pointer by Old Westbury's Omari Trebuse and a missed tip in by McCarthy, Zuccaro's potential game winner rimmed out after launching a three pointer as time expired.

Tyrik Tucker poured in 25 of his career high 32 points (12-24 FG) in the second half to lead Old Westbury.  Tucker tied a career best with 16 rebounds to notch his fifth double-double of the season, in addition to recording five steals and two blocks in 40 minutes of action.  Josh Hill sank 4-of-4 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free throw line to scored 16 points off the bench.  Rashawn McCarthy followed with 13 points and two steals while Darnell Chavis grabbed eight rebounds.

James Zuccaro's 19 points led four other Dolphins in double figures.  Zuccaro added nine rebounds and four assists. 

Old Westbury shot 40.3 percent from the field (25-62), 6.7 percent from three point range (1-15) and 70 percent from the free throw line (21-30).  Mount Saint Vincent hit 41.5 percent from the floor (22-53), 47.1 percent from three point land (8-17) and 73.1 percent from the charity stripe (19-26). Old Westbury won the boards battle, 41-30, scoring 11 second chance points off 14 offensive rebounds.  Old Westbury dominated the paint, holding 40-22 scoring edge. 

MOUNT SAINT MARY KNIGHTS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: Old Westbury returns to the hardwood on Thursday (January 31) in a Skyline Conference showdown against the visiting Mount Saint Mary Knights.  Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. from the Clark Athletic 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).