OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. — After a low-scoring first half, the Old Westbury offense came alive in the second period, shooting 56.3% from the field and connecting on 5-of-7 from long range to take this evening’s Skyline match-up with Yeshiva 72-44. The Panthers improve to 10-9 overall and 4-5 in the league, while the Maccabees fall to 9-9 and 7-5 in the conference.

The Panthers opened the second half with three-straight three pointers, two by Russell Brereton and one by Jared Weir, to kick off what would become a 24-10 run over the first 10 minutes of the half that left Old Westbury ahead 52-28. Three minutes later, the Panthers had extended their lead to 28 as Ramel Phillips chipped in five-straight for Old Westbury.

The Maccabees cut the lead to 23, the closest they would come in the second half, on a lay-up by Ian Ribald with just over three minutes remaining, but Old Westbury continued its pressure and went back up by 28 (70-42) on a lay-up by Darnell Mayers with 40 seconds to play.

Old Westbury used a 7-1 run midway through the first period to take a 13-point lead, its largest of the half. Yeshiva closed to within 10 as Ribald hit a three on the next play, and the teams went to the lockers four minutes later with the Panthers still ahead by 10.

Brereton finished with 13 points and eight rebounds to lead Old Westbury. Michael Garrett added 10 points, six assists and four steals, while Weir finished with nine points, hitting three-of-four from the three-point line. Yeshiva’s Harel Vatavu led the game with a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double. Ribald added 14 in the losing effort.

Old Westbury will return to action on Saturday at Centenary. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm.