Feb 04, 2014
OLD WESTBURY, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) - The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team dropped an emotional contest at home Tuesday night to the Farmingdale State College Rams, 68-60. The result, which had Skyline Conference implications, sees the Panthers fall to 11-8 (7-5 Skyline) on the season, while the Rams improve to 13-6 (9-1 Skyline).
In a first half that saw Old Westbury shoot 9-41 from the floor, the Panthers fell behind early, allowing their opponents to claim seven of the game's first nine points. With 11:49 remaining the margin remained the same (14-9), but an 11-4 run—over which the Panthers shot just 2-15—the Rams increased their lead to 12. But it was a 7-0 run to end the half that allowed Old Westbury to enter the break down 27-24.
The Panthers tied the game when Omari Trebuse sunk a three pointer just 1:14 into the second half. Nearly three minutes later the two sides once again were knotted up, this time at 34, but it would be the last time Old Westbury held a share of the lead. A succeeding 8-0 run by the Rams put the visitors in control again, and although the Panthers would draw the match back to just two points in the final three minutes, Farmingdale State pushed back and eased on to a 68-60 victory.
Old Westbury struggled to establish a shooting rhythm early, and despite tying a season-high in three-point field goal attempts (32), the Panthers sank just six. Old Westbury also struggled in the paint, where they were outscored 34-26.
Floyd Leroy registered his third double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. The forward also nabbed four steals, which tied a career best. Ray Parker pitched in with 18 points while Jaquan Potter sparked the Panthers off the bench with a career-high 12 points.
Leading the way for Farmingdale State was Donald Lawes, who scored 20 points—16 of which came in the second half. Jonathan Annan potted 13 of his own and added five helpers.
YESHIVA UNIVERSITY MACCABEES UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: Old Westbury continues its conference campaign on Saturday (February 8) when they host the Yeshiva University Maccabees in Old Westbury, NY. The Alumni Game is slated to take place at 6 PM, immediately before the 8:30 p.m. tip inside Clark Athletic Center.
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