Nov 17, 2013
PORTLAND, OR (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) - The SUNY College at Old Westbury wrapped up play Sunday evening at Bon Appetite NWC Tip-Off Classic against the Lewis & Clark Pioneers, falling 88-72 from Pamplin Center. The loss evened out the Panthers record at 1-1 while the Pioneers improved to 2-0.
Old Westbury jumped out early to a 2-0 lead off a layup by Tyrik Tucker and then PJ Page hit a free throw for a 3-2 edge before Lewis & Clark pulled ahead for good. Quentin Sims connected on a three pointer with 18:49 left to give the Pioneers at 5-3 advantage to spark a 17-4 run from 18:49 to 14:29 to take a 19-9 run. Lewis & Clark built up a commanding 62-32 half time lead off a 32-11 run over the final 8:24. Old Westbury trailed by as many as 36 points with 1:51 remaining in the fist half.
The Panthers chipped away at the deficit throughout the second half. Old Westbury made it a 13-point game with 6:01 remaining when Tucker dropped in a layup for two of his 10 second half points. Lewis & Clark outscored the Panthers 12-9 over the final 5:24 to deal Old Westbury its first loss of the young season.
Tucker's 28 points led all scorers, connecting on 11-of-20 from the field to go with seven rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals. Floyd Leroy pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds while Al Alexander (16 points) and PJ Page (11 points) scored in double-digits. Mark Gjonlekaj chipped in with five rebounds and four blocks. Ray Parker and Anton Morris each nabbed three steals.
Serg Ovchinnikov netted 26 points on 7-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc to lead the Pioneers. Sims followed with 14 points and Jason Luhnow added 11.
In the end, both teams managed to shoot 33.8 percent from the floor, while the Pioneers hit 38.2 percent (13-34) from three point range compared to Old Westbury's 22.2 percent (4-18). Lewis & Clark also sank 11 more free throws, finishing 27-of-42 (64.3%) from the line while Old Westbury hit 16-of-26 (61.5%). Lewis & Clark won the boards battle, 59-51, which included 24 second chance points off 21 offensive rebounds. Old Westbury swept away double-digit steals for the second straight game, finishing with 12 thefts.
WHITMAN MISSIONARIES UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: Old Westbury returns to the hardwood on Tuesday (Nov. 19) against the Whitman Missionaries from Sheerwood Athletic Complex. Opening tip is set for 8 p.m. (PST) in Walla Walla, Washington.
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