Box Score

Jersey City, NJ (Dec. 13, 2014) – Panther senior power forward Jeidar Cole (Bronx, NY) notched her third double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but Purchase's upset bid was hindered by 19 turnovers in a 66-57 non-league women's basketball loss to New Jersey City University on Saturday at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

The loss marks the sixth consecutive for the Panthers as they drop to 2-7 overall at the holiday break.  NJCU improved to 5-4, winning its second straight and is over .500 at the end of December for the first time since going 7-3 to start the 1998-99 season.

Assisting in Cole's efforts was Purchase guard Allison Haugh (SO/New City, NY) who totaled a game-high 20 points (7-18 FG), eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in 40 minutes of action.  Junior guard Kristine Viven (New York, NY) added another nine rebounds, seven points, five blocks and four assists.  

NJCU was led by Bria Smith, who produced a career-high 23 rebounds, 19 points and six block.  She finished with 12 offensive and 11 defensive caroms, shooting 7-of-13 from the field (5-8 FT), with a pair of assists.

Smith had 12 rebounds, 10 points, three blocks and two assists in the first half as the Knights jumped out to a 10-2 advantage in the first five minutes, never trailed and led 29-22 at the break.

Junior guard Kiana Briggs added 16 points (7-20 FG) and seven rebounds and junior forward Deseree Johnson collected a double-double of 10 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3FG), 10 rebounds and two assists.

The Gothic Knights hit two threes during the initial 10-2 opening act and after Purchase twice narrowed the deficit to four (13-9), NJCU gradually worked the margin into double figures (19-9) and led by as many as 13 in the first half. 

After Purchase scored in the opening minute of the second half to draw within five (29-24), Jade Medley provided the separation shots NJCU needed, drilling three-pointers from the left arc (18:07) and another in transition off a turnover from the right arc just 25 seconds later for a 35-24 differential.

From there, NJCU pulled away with a 19-2 run that saw the lead grow to 24 with 12:51 left on the clock.  Struggling to offset the NJCU attack, the Panthers didn't narrow the gap to single digits until the final 30 seconds.

Purchase will return to action on Jan. 6 at St. Joseph's College-LI.  The game, set for 7 p.m., marks the Panthers first Skyline Conference matchup of the season. 

-NJCU Sports Information contributed to this article