Brooklyn, NY---The Brooklyn College Women's Basketball Team looked like two teams in tonight's thrilling comeback, 72-71 victory over Old Westbury, as they were totally outplayed in the first half, falling behinde 42-29, but bounced back in the second stanza for their fourth straight victory. 

"I thought our team toughened up in the second half and got after the boards," said Head Coach Alex Lang.  "Our players stepped up their intensity and won the game down the stetch.  We will look forward to conference play next week."

Brooklyn started the game well as Lauren Plagainos drained two three-pointers in the two minutes of play to give her team an early 6-2 lead.  Old Westbury would go on a 14-6 run to take a 16-12 advantage of their own.  The run was propelled by two Kim Weathers three-pointers, including one that was banked in from five feet beyone the line. 

The Bulldogs would hang tough as two Justine O'Calllahan free throws and a Charnelle Saint Laurent three pointer would close the gap to one, 18-17, with 12:25 remaining.  At that point things begin to fall apart for BC as some cold shooting and poor rebounding would enable Old Westbury to go on a 18-2 run to open up a 36-19 leadwith 4:58 to play. 

The teams would trade baskets for much of the remaining time in the half before a Saint Laurent three would cut the deficit to 13, 42-29, heading into the break. 

In the second half Brooklyn was able to pick up their defensive intensity and showed a greater tenacity on the glass, however the Panthers had an answer for the Bulldogs each time they tried to make a run, and actually increased the margin to 17 with 15:59 to play. 

The Bulldogs would come back with three baskets, one from O'Callahan, followed by layups from Nicole Francomano and Melissa St. Louis, to cut the deficit to 11, 53-42.

After some back and forth action, a Kelly Jamison three-point play, on a lay-in and free throw, would cut the Panther lead to single digits, 60-52, with 12:29 to play.

The play was part of what would be a 12-1 run, capped by a Tiffany Thompson put-back, that tied the game at 61 with just over nine minutes to play.

Old Westbury would answer with a 3-0 run to regain the lead, however Francomano would tie the game at 66 when she sunk one of two from the line with 2:54 to play.  After a Deslyn Applewhaite free throw would return the advantage to the Panthers, Plagainos was fouled and made both attempts to give her team the 68-67 lead that would hold up over the final two minutes of the game. 

On the next Panther possession, Saint Laurent would get a steal and find Thompson, who would dish it to an open St. Louis for the basket, opening the lead to three, 70-67.

After an Antoinette Jolly free throw cut the lead to two, Plagainos dropped in a key shot in the lane with her off hand to give her team a commanding four-point lead.  Weathers then missed a three that was rebounded by Saint Laurent, forcing Old Westbury to foul Francomano. 

The freshman was unable to convert, missing the front end of the one and one and giving the Panthers another chance.  This time they took advantage as Applewhaite hit a beautiful, high-arching three while falling to her left, cutting the lead to one. 

The Panthers would foul again, however this time it would be Plagainos.  The senior could not convert the free throw either and Old Westbury would call time out. 

Weathers would drive into traffic on her team's final possession, only to have her passed deflected by St. Louis and stolen by Thompson to clinch the Brooklyn win.

Thompson led her team with 18 points and 10 boards, while Francomano would also post a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists.

Plagainos (16 points) and Saint Laurent (14 points) also put up double figure scoring in the win.  Saint Laurent also posted a game-high five steals.

Applewhaite had a terrific game for Old Westbury, posting 25 points and 10 boards, while Weathers was held to 12 points.

Brooklyn will be back to work next Tuesday when they host Medgar Evers in their first conference game of the season at 5:00 pm.  The game will be the first half of a doubleheader with the men's team as both games will be covered by BC TV for later air on CUNY Television.