Box Score

Purchase, NY (Dec. 12, 2012) – Sometimes a rough start makes for a strong finish. And that was the story Wednesday night at Purchase, as the Panthers rebounded to topple Yeshiva, 75-64, over the final 20 minutes.

In the process, Purchase (3-6) reeled off its second straight victory, handing the Maccabees their seventh defeat this year. Yeshiva (2-7) played extremely well in the first half, appearing much better than in recent memory, but could not sustain the strong start, as Purchase regrouped and capped the evening with its third victory of the early season.

Yeshiva forced Purchase into some early foul trouble and capitalized from the free-throw line. The Maccabees also shot 50 percent from 3 (5 of 10) in the opening period to jump out to a 41-37 margin at the break.

Although the Panthers held an advantage in shooting percentage in the first half (42.5-36.4 percent), the Maccabees shot 66.7 percent from the charity stripe, limiting Purchase to a 3 of 7 performance (42.9 percent) from the free-throw line.

All of that spelled trouble for Purchase in the early going, but the Panthers showed a better shooting touch in the second half, while taking command of points off turnovers. The second half rebound resulted in a better defensive effort for the hosts, too. Purchase held YU to a 28.6 percent showing from the field and also shot 45.9 percent, connecting on nearly half of its attempts over the final stanza. 
After falling behind late, Purchase was able to rally for a comeback win.

Forward Jess Lindsay (JR/Rochester, NY) and center Elizabeth Osowiecki (FR/Franklin Square, NY) found themselves in early foul trouble. Luckily, key reserve Jeidar Cole (SO/Bronx, NY) came off the bench and provided solid minutes, keeping the Panthers in the game.

Cole would finish with eight points on 4-of-6 shooting in 15 minutes. Lindsay and company would turn it up a notch in the second half. She finished with a team-high 20 points. Osowiecki added 18 and six rebounds in a tremendous all-around effort. The freshman center also added three steals, two blocks and one assist on the night.

Not to be outdone, Purchase forward Jalisa Fields (SR/Bronx, NY) was a monster on the glass, pulling down 17 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive boards. She added nine points and four steals as the Panthers teamed for 18 steals, registering a series of turnovers down the stretch. Teammate Lineker St.Hilaire (SO/Wyandanch, NY) contributed 12 points, five rebounds and four steals to her credit, helping the Panthers recover for a win.

YU may have lost the matchup, but deserves plenty of credit for a job well done, especially in the first half, where Haley David and Stephanie Greenberg sparked the Macs under new head coach Nesta Felix.

The sharp-shooting David scored a game-high 25 points, knocking down four 3-pointers. Center Rebecca Yoshor followed with 17 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Greenberg scored 13 points.  

The second half started with Purchase quickly taking the lead on a jumper by St.Hillaire. Dunlay made halftime adjustments and the results showed against a much improved YU team. 

Purchase will look to build off the strong second half this Saturday at Bard College. The Panthers will cap the first half of the regular season against the Raptors on the road. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

-WIth Bobby Ciafardini, SID