Box Score

Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (Dec. 15, 2012) – With the holiday break on the horizon, Purchase women's basketball finished off the first half of the season with a win worth being thankful for.   

The Panthers (4-6) pulled out a gritty victory against Bard College Saturday afternoon on the road, earning a 67-58 final, even after being reduced to four players in the second half.  

Tri-captain Jess Lindsay (JR/Rochester, NY) showed the way, netting 22 points on 10 of 15 shooting from the floor, but she would eventual foul out.  

“The game started with both teams trading baskets and neither was able to grab a significant lead,” explained Purchase assistant coach Varrell Eddie. “With the score tied, Purchase stepped up the defensive intensity and was able to work the lead to 20 points. Bard then made a run of its own to cut the lead to 10 by halftime. 

“In the second half, Bard came out and aggressively attacked the rim, which left us in foul trouble.”  

Shortly later, Lineker St.Hilaire (SO/Wyandanch, NY) fouled out, leaving Purchase with six eligible players. As mentioned, Lindsay would also foul out.

With Purchase down to five players, the Panthers rallied together.

But starting point guard Alexis Billups (SR/Chester, NY) fouled out and the Panthers were left with only four players to finish the game.

Down a player, Jeidar Cole (SO/Bronx, NY), Jalisa Fields (SR/Bronx, NY), Chelsea Daniel (FR/Bronx, NY) and Elizabeth Osowiecki (FR/Franklin Square, NY) “all made key defensive plays to guide Purchase into the win column,” Eddie said.

The Panthers shot 56 percent from the field to a build a lead and then held off Bard down the stretch with only four players on the court. 

In addition to leading scorer Lindsay, Fields recorded a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) for Purchase. St.Hilaire scored 15 points and finished the game with seven steals before fouling out with 9:53 left in the game. 

In a losing effort, Bard's Tytravia Riley had 23 points and 20 rebounds.

Purchase will now have a two week break before returning to action at Lehman College on Dec. 29, where the Panthers will look to make it four in a row. 

-Bard Sports Information Contributed to this report