Box Score

Purchase, NY (Dec. 15, 2012) – A see-saw first half culminated with a 3-pointer at the buzzer from captain Justin Person that pushed host Purchase ahead at the break and provided a spark for the second half, which the Panthers would use to capture a 73-61 victory against non-conference foe Baruch College.

Trailing for a good portion of the first 20 minutes after opening with a 7-2 lead, Purchase (6-1) eased its way into the flow of the game and came on strong as the matchup progressed. Both teams would trade baskets inside the final 10 minutes of the opening period, nearly duplicating percentages, as Purchase shot 33.3 percent from the field and the Bearcats shot 32.1 percent.  

Baruch (6-3) went on a 13-0 run after the 7-2 margin by the Panthers. Purchase would counter with some strong interior play and some timely shooting, spearheaded by Person's nine first-half points, including the aforementioned highlight reel buzzer-beating triple in which he twisted and nailed an off balance 3.   

The Panthers resumed their strong play in the second half and when the lead ballooned to 10 inside the final 10 minutes of the game, they won the eventual free-throw shooting marathon to close out the win.    

The afternoon was highlighted by a series of memorable plays from the Panthers, including a brilliant defensive block by David Haughton (JR/Greenburgh, NY) early in the first half, an emphatic second-half jam by Person (JR/Greenburgh, NY) that spurred the lead, and some gritty shooting from beyond the arc. Malik Atkins (SO/Bronx, NY) and Andre Nixon (JR/Harlem, NY) provided some uplifting 3s along the way.

Person would lead all scorers with 17 for the contest. He also added seven rebounds and four steals in a terrific all-around performance. Atkins contributed 13 points and a game-high six assists. Nixon totaled 15 points, including a 7 of 10 performance from the free-throw line. Big man Craig Davis (SR/Queens, NY) added 11 points  off the bench. Dan Odiase (JR/Bronx, NY) also played well off the bench for the Panthers, netting seven points in limited minutes.

Baruch was led by Edward Roscigno and role player Raymond De La Cruz in defeat. Roscigno finished with a team-high 14 points and De La Cruz came off the bench to add 12, including four 3s.

The score was tied once in the first half and three times in the second half, but Purchase's bench outscored the Bearcats 16-10 and also won the battle in the paint, outscoring the visitors 10-0 down low in the second half. The Panthers also scored 13 second-half points off turnovers, while limiting Baruch to five points off TOs.

Purchase will now take a two-week holiday break before returning to practice at the end of the month as the second semester begins. The Panthers will then take part in a holiday tournament at Springfield before returning home to start the second half conference schedule against MSMC on Jan. 7.