PURCHASE, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) –  The SUNY College at Old Westbury women's basketball team took round one of the "Battle of the SUNY Panthers" in a clash of Skyline Conference rivals, as Old Westbury claimed an intense 74-70 overtime road victory Wednesday evening in Purchase, New York.  Old Westbury (6-6) grabbed their second straight triumph and raised their conference record to 2-2 while Purchase (6-8) slipped to 1-3.  Old Westbury hosts Purchase for round two of the "Battle of the SUNY Panthers" on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m.

Purchase controlled the opening minutes of the game, holding a 9-3 lead with 14:08 left in the half. DeAndra Scott converted a three point play to tie the game and give Old Westbury their first lead of the game at 14-13.  Purchase's Jessica Biggs sank a jumper to knot the game for the fifth time at 17 all with 9:15 remaining.  Old Westbury answered with a three point play from Chloe Mellon to grab the lead for good with 9:03 remaining in the half.  Old Westbury used a 19-8 run over the final 7:49 to take a 41-27 lead into the half. 

Old Westbury built up a 20 point lead 5:53 into the half and had the tables turned when they saw a 53-33 lead evaporate with a 28-7 Purchase run from 13:33 to 1:37 to go down 61-60.  Raven Price dropped in a layup and Clarissa Gallagher hit a free throw as Old Westbury took a 63-61 lead with 14 seconds remaining.  Jeidar Cole sent the game into overtime when she connected on a jumper with one second left. 

The overtime period featured four lead changes and Old Westbury tying the game three times.  Old Westbury outscored Purchase 11-6 in the extra frame and took the lead for good with 56 seconds left on a DeAndra Scott jumper.  Purchase missed their final three shots and Old Westbury closed out the scoring with a pair of free throws in the final 29 seconds to preserve the victory.   

Old Westbury was led by DeAndra Scott, who posted career highs of 33 points and 18 rebounds to record her 13th career double-double.  Scott's previous highs were 29 points (vs. Hunter 12/9/11) and 16 rebounds (vs. SUNYIT 12/11/11).  Scott also dished out a game high four assists.  Clarissa Gallagher followed with 11 points and three steals while Antoinette Jolly added seven points, six rebounds and three steals.  Raven Pentz scored eight points and Raven Price pulled down nine rebounds and Abigail Williams grabbed six.

Elizabeth Osowiecki led Purchase with 12 points and nine rebounds while Jess Lindsay chipped in with 11 points, nine rebounds and three steals.  Alexis Billups added 11 points and seven steals while Lineker St. Hilaire scored 10 points. 

Old Westbury shot 38.8 percent from the floor (26-67), 18.2 percent from three point territory (2-11) and 46.5 percent from the charity stripe (20-43).  Purchase hit 31.1 percent from the floor (23-74), went 0-for-9 from beyond the arc and shot 64.9 percent from the free throw line (24-37).  Old Westbury won the boards battle 51-36, including 15 second chance points off 16 offensive rebounds. Purchase scored 29 points off 34 Old Westbury turnovers while Old Westbury held a 30-12 points in the paint advantage.

NYU-POLY FIGHTING JAYS UP NEXT FOR OLD WESTBURY: Old Westbury returns to the hardwood for a Skyline Conference battle on Monday (Jan. 14) evening, taking on the NYU-Poly Fighting Jays in a home opener from the Clark Athletic Center.  Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in Old Westbury, New York      

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