Box Score

Purchase, NY (Jan. 25, 2012) – Flashy guard Amar Reynolds made a hit return Wednesday night at Purchase, sparking a huge turnaround in the second half for the Panthers before visiting Sage held on for a 79-66 victory.

In his return, Reynolds (JR/Bronx, NY) netted a team-high 19 points – all coming in the second half – as Purchase rebounded from a 34-19 deficit in the first. The Panthers nearly staged a come-from-behind rally on the three-point shooting of Reynolds.

However, failing to shut down what proved to be a consistent Gator offense, the Panthers never controlled the tempo game, although four consecutive 3s by Reynolds brought the hosts within three points at the eight-minute mark in the second half.

That would be as close as the Panthers would get.  After made free throws by Troy Nwanna and Ryan Sager gave Sage some breathing room, the flood gates opened as Matt Farbotko's layup made it 59-51. 

The Panthers, who shot 39-percent from the field in the game, struggled to find any offensive flow.

Standout John Pressley (JR/New York, NY) came off the bench late in the first half and turned in 11 points in the contest, and Justin Person tallied nine, but the first-half troubles loomed too large in defeat.

Sage's Pat Lanoue put the game away at the two-minute mark with a dagger of a three, opening up a 12-point lead. Lanoue finished the game with a team-high 16 points.

The Panthers dropped their fifth straight game, falling to 7-10 overall and 5-5 in the Skyline Conference. Sage is now 8-9 and 4-7 in conference play.

Looking for better results, the Panthers will now travel to Long Island to take on St. Joseph's College in Patchogue on Jan. 28.