Men's Basketball Cruises to Win Over Old Westbury on CYO Day

PHOTOS CREDIT: Farmingdale State

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | The Farmingdale State College men's basketball team cruised to an 89-66 win over Skyline Conference opponent Old Westbury on Saturday afternoon. The Rams improved to 6-7 on the season and 3-1 in Skyline competition, while the Panthers dropped to 6-6, 1-3.

Saturday marked the seventh annual CYO Day at Farmingdale State, where youth

teams from across Long Island participated in a free basketball clinic and pizza party with the FSC coaches and student-athletes before tip-off. Over 100 CYO boys and girls attended, marking the largest turnout in the event's history.

Old Westbury scored the first four points before the Rams responded with nine straight, capped off by a 3-pointer by sophomore forward Liam Buckley (Manhasset, N.Y.), giving FSC a 9-4 lead they would never relinquish.

The Rams led 14-10 midway through the first half and used a pair of Jordan Tucker (Elmont, N.Y.) jumpers and a layup from Hamdel Mohammed (Bronx, N.Y.) to take a 20-10 advantage.

After a 3-pointer by OW, a 12-0 run by Farmingdale State, featuring 3's by guards Sean Conroy (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Derek Reed (Shinnecock, N.Y.), gave them a commanding 19-point lead at 32-13.

FSC closed the half with 3-pointers by senior guard Jevon Santos (Elmont, N.Y.) and junior guard Michael Notias (Manhasset, N.Y.) in the final minute as they increased their advantage to 45-19 at the break.

The Rams were up 55-32 with 13:28 remaining in the second half and scored three unanswered baskets to go ahead by 29.

Following two Panthers free-throws, four more points by Mohammed put Farmingdale State in front by 31, 65-34. 

The Rams largest lead of the game was 33 points with 4:44 left, as they went on for the 89-66 victory.

FSC had four players score in double-digits, with Conroy leading the way with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists. Mohammed was 5-for-6 from the field for 13 points, while Buckley finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Tucker produced 10 points, six rebounds and two assists off the bench and both Notias and Reed tallied seven points apiece. Freshman guard James Notias (Manhasset, N.Y.) chipped in with nine points in nine minutes off the bench.

Freshman Zion Williams registered 29 points in the loss for Old Westbury.

The Rams will next play host to Skyline Conference opponent Merchant Marine on Wednesday, January 15th at 7:00 p.m.