Nov 19, 2013
WALLA WALLA, WA (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) - The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team registered five players in double-digit scoring Tuesday evening on the road to defeat the Whitman Missionaries, 83-80, from Sherwood Center. The win moves Old Westbury over the hump, making them 2-1 on the season while sending Whitman to a season opening setback.
Whitman led by as much as seven points in the first half, but Old Westbury closed the opening 20 minutes of play by going on a 39-29 run over the final 16:31 to head into halftime clinging to a 40-37 lead. Down 8-1 in the opening 3:29 of play, Tyrik Tuckersank a jumper to spark an 11-2 run over the next 2:24 to jump the Panthers ahead, 12-10. Old Westbury increased their lead to as much as four points late in the half.
Phillip Chircu drained a jumper with 8:44 remaining to put Whitman in front, 65-64. Tucker's successful trip to the line with 7:38 showing on the second half clock put Old Westbury up for good, 66-65. Old Westbury used an 11-2 run from 7:38 to 3:08 to build up an eight point advantage, 75-67, their largest lead of the game. Whitman answered with an 11-4 run of its own to slice the deficit to one point, 81-80, with 51 seconds left. Al Alexander drove to the basketball and dropped in two of his 14 second half points with 12 seconds remaining to provide the Panthers with the winning margin. Whitman could not convert on a Ben Eisenhardt three point attempt that missed with eight seconds left to seal the game.
Tucker led the way with 22 points to go along with 11 rebounds and five assists to record his ninth career double-double. He went 7-for-14 from the field and 8-for-9 from the free throw line and finished in double figures for the 29th straight game. Alexander followed with 21 points (9-14 FG), Floyd Leroy added 14 points and two blocked shots while PJ Page went for 13 points (6-8 FG) with six rebounds (five offensive), three blocks and two steals. Ray Parker chipped in with 10 points in 16 minutes off the bench. Mark Gjonlekaj ripped down seven rebounds before fouling out.
Eisenhardt and Chircu led Whitman with 17 points.
Old Westbury dominated the paint, outscoring Whitman 55-22 in the post. Old Westbury shot 55 percent (33-60 FG) from the field, compared to Whitman's 35.8 percent (24-67). Whitman forced Old Westbury to turn the ball over 19 times, leading to 26 points for the Missionaries.
WHITWORTH CLASSIC (NOV. 22-23) UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: Old Westbury returns to the hardwood for the opening day of the Whitworth Classic on Friday (Nov. 22) against #12 Whitworth Pirates in Spokane, Washington. Opening tip is set for 8 p.m. (PST) from Whitworth Fieldhouse.
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