Purchase, NY (Jan. 16, 2016) – Old Westbury held off a resilient Purchase effort Saturday in the second game of a twin bill between the SUNY schools.

The OW men topped the host Panthers in the opener before the visiting Panther women earned an 82-57 victory in the second game of the doubleheader to complete the sweep.

It was a hard-fought win for OW, which improved to 12-3 overall, including 7-1 in Skyline Conference play.  

The game was knotted at 6-6 in the opening four minutes before OW took a two-point lead on a score in the paint. OW center Crystal Barnes made it 10-6 in the interior at 5:06. Fouled on the score, she added a free throw. The three-point play made it 11-6.

Barnes would then post back-to-back, conventional style three-point plays for a 14-6 margin under five minutes.

The Panthers had a balanced attack at the outset with Elizabeth Osowiecki (SR/Franklin Square, NY), Allison Haugh (JR/New City, NY) and Danielle Holmes (SO/Warwick, NY) scoring early baskets.

An April Uhl (JR/Jackson Heights, NY) score, followed by a bucket from reserve Frances Minaya (JR/San Fernando, CA) brought the host Panthers back within four (14-10) in the first quarter.   

At 2:13, Osowiecki scored again. OW now led 15-13 after Purchase had scored three of the four points in the game during that stretch. The two teams traded baskets on ensuing possessions, but Sierra Sangetti-Daniels (JR/Oneonta, NY) would break free and tie the game at 17 under one minute in an exciting opening quarter.

With nine seconds left in the first, OW reserve Monique Joseph scored for a 19-17 lead, ending the period for the visitors ahead by two.  

The back-and-forth contest continued in the second quarter. OW led 21-20 in the opening two minutes before taking a 23-20 lead at seven minutes. Alexis Lopez scored to give the visitors the three-point lead. The hoop prompted a short Purchase timeout.  

It remained a fight the rest of the first half. It was 25-20 OW at 3:52, when the Panthers took a full time out. Out of the T.O., Sangetti-Daniels scored to close back within three, 25-22.

But OW answered with a 3 by Lopez for a 27-22 lead. Next trip down the floor, Lopez scored again and was fouled. She missed the free throw, but the basket extended the lead to seven under three minutes. OW pushed it to nine right after (31-22).

Then Purchase newcomer Kayla Ortiz (SO/Brooklyn, NY) split the defense on a nice dribble-drive to the hoop for a score (31-24). Ortiz would add two free throws with 22 seconds left as Purchase climbed back within seven, 33-26.

The visiting Panthers closed the half, leading 34-26 on a one of two showing from the line by Tori Bellings.

Old Westbury pulled away in the third quarter, building upon its first-half lead. The visitors led 63-42 at the end of three. Barnes and Pentz continued their standout play in the quarter.

The Panthers regrouped to start the fourth, as Ortiz buried a triple to begin the final stanza.

But the hosts struggled to contain Barnes, who scored her 27th point of the game at 8:16 in the paint, drawing the contact for a 69-45 lead. She missed the free throw, but her play inside contributed greatly to OW's dominance in the second half. OW increased that lead to 76-47 at 5:52 and never looked back.

OW was led by Barnes and her game-high 29. Pentz and Jasmine Robinson added 13 apiece. Barnes finished with a double-double, recording 19 rebounds to pair with her point total in the win.

Osowiecki, who fouled out at the end of the third, finished with 12 points for Purchase. She shared the team lead with Sangetti-Daniels. Minaya chipped in 11 points, and Ortiz contributed seven to go along with two assists, three blocks and one steal.  

Purchase (1-15, 1-8) returns to action next Saturday at home.