Old Westbury's Onslaught in Second Half Proves Too Much for Eagles

Patchogue, N.Y. — After trailing by only one point at half time, the Golden Eagles (4-13, 3-7 SKY) fell to the Old Westbury Panthers (11-6, 7-3 SKY), 70-53, Wednesday night in a Skyline Conference game.

The Eagles matched the Panthers step-for-step in the first half; their quickness allowed them to counter traps and presses while their aggression on the boards earned them seven offensive rebounds.  At times, SJC's intensity proved to even frazzle the visiting Panthers, as the Eagles secured an impressive eight steals in the first twenty minutes of play.

In the second half however, the Eagles lost steam as the Panthers found it.  Outscoring the home team 39-23, the Panther's superior shooting—57.1% from the field and 40.0% from the three-point line to SJC's 22.6% and 13.3%—gave them an advantage that the Eagles could not counter.

Darryl Charles (Middletown, N.Y./ Poughkeepsie) led the team with 17 points and ten rebounds while Sean McCarthy (Kings Park, N.Y./ Kings Park) and Ryan Reidy (Sayville, N.Y./ Connetquot) logged eight points each, off the bench.

Floyd Leroy led Old Westbury with 20 points and five blocks.  Mark Gjonlekaj added 18 points and four blocks for the Panthers. 

The Eagles will travel to Newburgh, N.Y. on Saturday to challenge Mt. St. Mary in a 3 p.m. Skyline Conference game.