Box Score

Old Westbury, NY --- The Brooklyn College Men's Basketball Team (2-0) defeated host Old Westbury 74-67 in the first round of the 2008 Panther Classic on Friday evening.  Junior forward Richard Jean-Baptiste (St. John's Prep / Queens, NY) posted a season-high of 27 points to lead the Bridges to Saturday's championship tilt with Oswego State.

The first half was played at a frenetic pace, as the teams combined to take 78 shots from the floor in the game's first 20 minutes. Jean-Baptise had a monster first half, recording his first double-double of the season (14 points, 12 boards) before the intermission.  Brooklyn enjoyed a 39-32 halftime lead over the Panthers.  

Old Westbury used a 20-5 run midway through the second half to take a 52-47 lead with less than 14 minutes remaining. The two teams would trade baskets over the next 10 minutes until Lester Prosper (Bellmore / Bellmore, N.Y.) converted on a lay-up to give the Panthers a 69-67 advantage with 1:10 remaining.  The Bridges defense then took over, forcing the Old Westbury in four hasty shots that all missed their mark.  Brooklyn scored the game's final seven points to secure the victory,

Jean-Baptiste finished the day with game and season highs of 27 points and 15 rebounds.  Daniel Nisbett (Michael J. Petrides / Staten Island, NY)  poured in17 points, dished out four assists, and added four steals.  Darnell Cudjoe (Murray Bergtraum / Brooklyn, NY) registered his first double-double of the season, netting15 points and 11 rebounds.  Ahmad Hemingway chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds.