Russell Brereton’s three with 7:15 to go pulled Old Westbury within four and started a run in which the Panthers outscored Nazareth 8-1 over the next three minutes. The Panthers tied the game at 58 when Michael Garrett sank a three-pointer, and, after falling behind by once again by three, Ramel Phillips’ three tied the game at 63 with 2:33 to play.
Brian Ameneiros responded for Nazareth with a three-point score, but after a lay-up by Derek DeLoney, Garrett drew a foul and sank two free throws to give Old Westbury a 67-66 lead with under a minute to play.
The Golden Flyers’ Matt Groot committed an offensive foul on Nazareth’s next possession, giving the ball back to the Panthers. Brereton was fouled on his baseline jumper and converted one-of-two, to give Old Westbury a 68-66 edge with 13 seconds on the clock.
Ameneiros stepped on the sideline after the Nazareth inbounds, once again putting the ball back in the Panthers’ possession. With 9.8 seconds remaining, Garrett picked up a foul, connected on both shots and sealed the win, as Old Westbury went up 70-66 with nine seconds on the clock. Nazareth missed its three-point attempt on the far end as time expired.
In the first half, Ramel Phillips’ three-pointer at the 8:07 mark gave Old Westbury its largest lead of the half, a 20-13 advantage. Jeff DeHimer’s free throw on the next play was followed up by three-straight Nazareth threes, and kicked off what would become a 15-0 run that left the Golden Flyers ahead 28-20 three minutes later.
Nate Marner sank a lay-up on the next play to end the streak and Russell Brereton followed with a lay-up of his own to pull the Panthers within four with 2:24 remaining in the period. The teams exchanged points to close the half and Nazareth took a 32-28 lead into the locker room.
Garrett finished with a game-high 22 points to lead the Panthers. Brereton added 21 points and eight rebounds. Joe Canori led the Golden Flyers with 20 points.
Old Westbury returns to Skyline action on Wednesday, December 21 at Maritime College.