Box Score

Purchase, NY (Feb. 11, 2012) – Look out Skyline Conference, the two-time defending league champion Purchase Panthers are starting to gel with the conference tournament just around the corner.

For the first time this season, Purchase finally had most of its original cast in place – and the result showed. The Panthers torched the College of Mt. St. Vincent Saturday at home, winning 89-70. Suiting up for the first time since becoming eligible, Andre Nixon (SO/Harlem, NY) made his triumphant return since transferring back to Purchase. Nixon, who was part of the championship team three seasons ago, flashed an explosive touch – taking the campus by storm, much the way New York Knicks rookie guard Jeremy Lin has sparkled at the Garden this week.

Nixon scored 23 points, connecting immediately on a 3-pointer to tie the game in the opening minutes. He added four rebounds, three assists and one steal in 24 minutes of action.

Not to be outdone, fellow transfer Craig Davis (JR/Queens, NY) has been a welcomed addition in the second half of the season. The 6-foot-8, 275-pound Davis has been a force to reckon with in the paint. Davis provided the perfect one-two punch inside for the Panthers, also scoring 23 points in the victory. Davids added seven rebounds and four blocks in a dominating performance.

With Davis and Nixon teaming up, Purchase could not be stopped. The Panthers improved to 11-12 and 9-7 in Skyline play, sending CMSV to a 9-14 overall record and a 7-9 conference mark. In defeat, the Dolphins were led by Mark Waite and his 13 points.  

Nixon started in the backcourt where William Williams (JR/Bronx, NY) controlled the offense. The speedy point guard dished a game-high six assists. The entire lineup played well, settling in following a technical foul in warm-ups after the team dunked a basketball in the layup line – a hoops no-no.

Key reserve Amar Reynolds (JR/Bronx, NY) contributed 11 points off the bench in another strong outing for Purchase. Blake Borysewicz (FR/Brooklyn, NY), Joel Neri (FR/Port Chester, NY), Jimmy Moore (JR/Newburgh, NY) and Isaac Campbell (JR/Newark, NJ) also saw expanded time in the victory, while unsung heroes Justin Person (JR/Greenburgh, NY) and captain B.J. Warrington (SR/Bronx, NY) also played well.

The Panthers bounced back from a Thursday night loss at home and will now head to rival Yeshiva on Feb. 15 before returning home next Saturday for Senior Day. Next Saturday's festivities will also include a special ceremony honoring last season's championship team.