Feb 17, 2014
NEWBURGH, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) - The SUNY College at Old Westbury men's basketball team shot a season-low 23.9 percent from the field and was dealt a 75-45 Skyline Conference road setback to the host Mount Saint Mary Knights on Monday evening from Kaplan Center. Old Westbury (13-10) moves to 9-7 in conference play while the Knights (18-5) improved to 14-2.
Old Westbury is currently locked in at fifth place and trail Sage by one game for a battle of fourth place with two games remaining, including a season finale at Sage on February 22.
Both team traded leads early on as Andrew Andries knocked down a jumper 4:05 into play to give Old Westbury a 7-5 lead. The lead would be Old Westbury's last advantage of the game as Mount Saint Mary went on top with an 8-0 run over the next 2:57 of play to go up for good. Ray Parker's layup with 9:53 remaining made it a two point game for the Panthers at 15-13. Despite making it a two point game, Old Westbury's deficit expanded by as many as 17 points off the power of an 18-5 run before Parkers free throw with two seconds left made it a 37-21 game at the half.
Old Westbury struggled out of the second half gates, hitting on just 1-of-14 from the field, including misfiring on 12 straight from 18:06 to 13:38 until Parker drained a three pointer to make it a 48-29 game. The Knights answered with a 7-0 run to go up 26 and led by as many as 33 with 2:03 showing on the second half clock.
Floyd Leroy's 13 points (5-13 FG) paced led Old Westbury in scoring for the eighth time this season. Leroy also added 10 rebounds to record his fourth double-double of the season. Parker followed with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Mark Gjonlekaj nabbed three steals
Chris Pisciotta's 19 points (6-9 FG) led all scores as three other Knights finished with double digit points. Pisciotta also contributed 10 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals to lead the Knights to victory.
Old Westbury's struggled shooting the ball, finishing the evening hitting just 16-of-67 from the field, 3-of-23 from three point territory (13%) and 10-of-21 from the free throw line (47.6%) as Mount Saint Mary connected on 48.8 percent from the floor (21-43), 23.5 percent from long distance (4-17), 78.4 percent from the charity stripe (29-37). Old Westbury won the boards battle, 45-37, finishing with 27 offensive rebounds, the most since grabbing 26 against Farmingdale State on January 6, 2011. However, those 27 offensive boards resulted in just 10 second chance points. The Knights converted 20 Panther miscues into 20 points.
NYU-POLY FIGHTING JAYS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS ON SENIOR DAY: The Panthers continue its conference campaign on Wednesday (February 19) when they host the NYU-Poly Fighting Jays on Senior Day in Old Westbury. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. inside Clark Athletic Center. At 5:45 p.m., seniors Andrew Andries and Tyrik Tucker will be honored with the annual Senior Day Ceremony for their dedication to Old Westbury Athletics.
For the latest news on the Panthers, log on to www.oldwestburypanthers.com – the official site of 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).