BROOKLYN, N.Y. – A late layup by the Panthers proved to be the difference in the contest as the Manhattanville College women's basketball team fell to SUNY Old Westbury 75-73 in the opening round of the Betty Shabazz Tournament hosted by Medgar Evers College Saturday evening at the Cougars' Cave.
 
Sophomore Ivy Coles (Freeport, N.Y./Christ The King) led the Valiants with a career-best 16 points, 14 of which came in the second half, while also dishing out six assists and adding five steals in the loss.  Freshman Nancy Caballero (Henderson, Nev./Liberty) picked up her first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and senior Brittany Deieso (Brewster, N.Y./Brewster) added 13 points, playing all 40 minutes for the Valiants.
 
Manahttanville struggled offensively in the first half, going just 9-32 from the field while committing 13 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes of action.  Old Westbury hit three three-pointers in the first half, taking a 38-32 lead into the halftime break.
 
The Valiants came out strong in the second half, shooting 38 percent for the half.  Coles led the charge with 14 points in the half and Caballero added nine of her 14 points in the final two quarters as well. 
 
After trailing by three after three quarters of play, Manhattanville took the lead with two free throws from sophomore Kayleah McGuire (Somers, N.Y./Somers) with 6:39 to play.  The Panthers responded with a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to lead by six with just over three minutes to play but Manhattanville would not go down without a fight.  A 9-3 run by the Valiants leveled the score with 25 seconds to play.  The Panthers came charging down the court however, hitting a layup just eight seconds later to retake the lead by two. 
 
Manhattanville had a chance to tie on the game's final possession, but a three-pointer from Coles was off the mark and a last second attempt by Deieso did not fall as Manhattanville dropped their opening contest 75-73 to the Panthers. 
 
The Valiants will now face host Medgar Evers in the consolation game tomorrow afternoon.  Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 1:00 pm.