Nov 16, 2013
MCMINNVILLE, OR (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) - The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team (1-0) got off on the right foot Saturday evening with a 73-62 season opening win against the Linfield Wildcats (0-1) from the Bon Appetit NWC Tip-Off Classic in McMinnville, Oregon. Old Westbury returns to action on Sunday against Lewis & Clark at 7 p.m. (PST).
Tyrik Tucker led Old Westbury with a game-high 24 points and Floyd Leroy pick up a game-high eight rebounds. The Panthers shot 45.3 percent and held the host Wildcats to 31.6 percent shooting. In addition to Tucker, PJ Page (18 points) and Leroy (14 points) finished with double-digit point totals. Tucjer added game-highs of five assists and four steals while shooting 7-of-15 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the charity stripe. Mark Gjonlekaj was impressive in his collegiate debut, finishing with seven points, seven rebounds and a game-high three blocked shots. Page also joined the block party, finishing with two swats.
Gion Jackson paced Linfield with 17 points off the bench and Chris Dirks added seven rebounds.
In the end, Old Westbury held the advantage in rebounds (38-35) and steals (10-4) while converting 18 Linfield turnovers into 18 points. The Panthers also dominated play in the point, outscoring Linfield 34-14.
The Panthers jumped out to a commanding 10-0 lead in the first 6:36 of the game. Jackson put Linfield on the board with a three ball to cut the deficit to single digits. Linfield pulled within six points (15-9) before Old Westbury responded with a 10-3 run from 10:34 to 6:20 for a 13 points advantage, their largest of the half. With 1:22 remaining in the half, Ryan Potter converted on a trip to the line to bring Linfield within nine points. Old Westbury connected on 40 percent (12-30 FG) from the field compared to Linfield's 24 percent (6-25 FG) for a 33-22 half time lead.
The Panthers used a 9-0 surge to open the second half with a 42-24 lead. Linfield answered with a 9-1 run. Old Westbury responded with an 18-8 run of their own to take a 20 point lead (61-41), their largest of the game with 3:56 showing on the second half clock. Linfield made a late push to close the gap to nine points (69-60) with a 19-8 run before Old Westbury scored four of the next six points over the final 41 seconds to hold off the Wildcats.
LEWIS & CLARK PIONEERS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: Old Westbury returns to the hardwood on Sunday (Nov. 17) against the Lewis & Clark Pioneers in the Bob Appetit NWC Tip-Off Classic from the Pampin Center. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m. (PST) in Portland, Oregon.
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