Box Score

Morristown, NJ (Dec. 11, 2014) – The College of Saint Elizabeth's basketball team won a dramatic home opener, defeating Purchase College 78-76 in overtime.

The Eagles started the game quickly when Ashley Pledger nailed a 3-pointer to give the Eagles a 6-2 lead. Pledger would up the lead to eight when she came up with a nice steal and finished with a fast break layup. Purchase would manage to keep the game within 6 before CSE went on an 8-0 run to open up a 28-16 lead. Sharolin Sanders would add two late free throws with a second remaining to give the Eagles a 32-21 lead going into halftime.

The Panthers jumped back in the second half, cutting the lead to 7 with 15 minutes remaining.  With just under six minutes on the clock, Purchase guard Kristine Viven (JR/New York, NY) hit a jumper to drop the Eagle lead to three.  Now on defense, Viven made a steal and passed the ball off to teammate Elizabeth Osowiecki (JR/Franklin Square, NY), who was fouled on the play.  A successful free throw from Osowiecki put the game at 55-53 in Eagle favor. 

Pledger answered back for the Eagles with a 6-0 run with four minutes remaining. Purchase then rallied, and with two seconds left on the clock, veteran forward Jeidar Cole (SR/Bronx, NY) made a layup to send the game into overtime, tied at 68.

In overtime, the Eagles took a 2-point lead after a Pledger layup. Purchase would tie the score up at 74 with 40 seconds remaining. Purchase connected on two free throws with 17 seconds remaining.

Following a timeout, Pledger made a breakaway layup off a pass from Alivia Roseboro. Off the following inbounds, Roseboro stole the pass, dished it to Pledger who made the game winning layup with 7 seconds remaining to give the Eagles a 78-76 victory.

Cole led the Panthers with 19 points and added 10 rebounds, five of which were on attacking end.  Viven followed suit with 16 points, three steals and three assists. 

Also tallying double-digits for Purchase were Allison Haugh (SO/New City, NY), Osowiecki, and Michelle Rupelli (FR/Staten Island, NY).  Haugh also had a game-high eight steals and Osowiecki led the books with 13 total rebounds.

The Panthers return to action on Saturday when they travel to New Jersey City University for a non-conference game starting at noon.