Boxscore

Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (1-0) downed Old Westbury (0-1) 74-55 in the season opener, giving interim head coach Scott Bittner his first career victory at the helm of the Ospreys. Darius Jerkins (Somers Point/Mainland) scored 15 points and tied his career high of 11 rebounds while Marcus Harmon (Whitesboro/Middle Twp.) also registered a double-double of 14 points and a career-high 13 boards.
 
Stockton led almost wire-to-wire as they broke out early and often against the Panthers. With Old Westbury leading 7-6, Stockton ran off on a 12-0 run on two three-pointers apiece by Harmon and Tom Catanoso (Cape May CH/Middle Twp.) that gave Stockton an 18-7 lead that they would not relinquish.
 
The Panthers closed to within two at 21-19 with 8:41 left in the first half, but that was as close as the Panthers would get on the evening. The Ospreys finished the first stanza by outscoring the visitors 25-8 to grab a 46-27 lead into the locker room. Khaliq Ford (Millville/Millville) and Catanoso led the way with nine points each in the first 20 minutes.
 
The second half was more of the same as Stockton's lead grew to as many as 27 points at 66-39 on a layup by Jerkins with 7:39 to play and the Ospreys coasted to the 74-55 triumph. All 16 players saw playing time for the Ospreys in the rout.

In addition to Jerkins and Harmon, Ford scored 13 points in his Stockton debut, while Catanoso added 11 markers. Harmon dished a game-high four assists and Brandon Hamilton (Camden/Paulsboro), also playing his first game at Stockton, topped all players with four steals.
 
The Panthers were led by Jamail Stanley who tallied 19 points to lead all players. Stanley Baker blocked a game-high three shots for Old Westbury.
 
Stockton will open league play next Tuesday as Rowan University visits Galloway for an NJAC tilt. Game time is set for 8 p.m.