Box Score

Purchase, NY (Nov. 25, 2014) – Purchase and Albertus Magnus played a back-and-forth contest Tuesday night in the final Panther home game before the Thanksgiving Break.

In a game that was tied at 40 at halftime and later 50-all and 60-all, the visitors used a late spurt to slip past Purchase 86-82 in a rematch of last March's NCAA Tournament second-round matchup.

The Panthers (0-6) led early and by as many as eight points (22-14) before the Falcons chipped away and took their first lead (30-29) with 6:44 left in the period. The score was tied twice in the first half and the lead changed hands six times.

In the second half, the see-saw action continued until the 9:40 mark, when Albertus Magnus reeled off eight points to push what had been a 67-64 margin to 77-66. However, that lead grew to 13 points with 4:56 to go and although the Panthers showed their mettle and resilience, Purchase couldn't get any closer than four points inside the final two minutes.

The victory improved Magnus' record to 3-1.

The Falcons were led inside by center Victor Ljuldjjuraj, who went 12 of 16 in the paint for a game-high 30 points. He added 14 rebounds in a double-double effort. Forward Lemar Larsen contributed 17 points and seven rebounds, while guards Tavon Sledge, James Jennings and Eian Davis notched 13, 10 and six points, respectively. Davis also handed out a game-high 11 assists. The four double-digit scorers accounted for 70 of the team's 86 points.

For the Panthers, guard Creig Graves (JR/Harlem, NY) and forward Taylor Foster (JR/Greenburgh, NY) paced the hosts in the team's home opener. Graves scored a team-high 25 points, connecting on five 3-pointers, while Foster finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and a team-high five assists in a solid all-around effort. Point guard Jose Reyes (JR/Bronx, NY) added 11 points and four assists in defeat. Reserve Nicholas Jackson (JR/Brooklyn, NY) contributed seven points off the bench.

Purchase will now have the holiday break and then return to action at home on Wednesday, Dec. 3 for the rescheduled championship ring night against non-conference rival York College. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the pre-game championship ceremony.