Box Score
Purchase, NY (Feb. 12, 2014) – The Purchase College women's basketball team put together a statement game Wednesday night at home.
With five games left in the regular season and the playoff picture hanging in the balance, the Panthers held off a tough Sage squad, upsetting the second-place team in the conference, 64-55. Purchase improved to 12-9 overall and 7-4 in conference play, dropping Sage to 13-8 and 8-3 in the league.
The Panthers took down Sage in a close matchup, avenging their away loss to the Gators earlier in the season.
Purchase looks well on its way to one of the top four postseason berths thanks largely to a great start tonight that included arguably its best defensive performance of the season. You could say Sage struggled from the field, posting a 27.9 percent shooting night, but it should not go unnoticed that Purchase contested many shots and forced 25 turnovers en route to the victory. The Panthers also amassed 12 steals, including four from guard Lineker St.Hilaire (JR/Wyandanch, NY). Fellow guard Jessica Bullock (SR/Thiells, NY) followed with three swipes of her own.
In a back-and-forth contest, Jazmin Garcia (JR/Peekskill, NY), and the rest of the Panther front court, Elizabeth Osowiecki (SO/Franklin Square, NY) and Jess Lindsay (SR/Rochester, NY) scored over two-thirds of the team's point with 19, 19, and 10 points apiece, respectively.
Sage fought hard to stay in the game. Led by Frankie Pearson, Sage's only player to score in double figures (12) offensively, and Amie Jefferson, who led all rebounders with 13. The Gators stayed within striking distance, closing what once stood as a 10-point gap early in the second half to a two-point game in the closing minute.
The Panthers led 28-21 at the break and increased that margin to 39-29 with 13-plus minutes to play before the visitors whittled the score down to single digits over the final five minutes.
Key reserve Jeidar Cole (JR/Bronx, NY) sealed the game with two clutch free throws in the final 12 seconds. Osowiecki also made a pair with 22 seconds remaining as Purchase shot well from the charity stripe when it mattered most. Garcia's freebies just under a minute also keyed that last push for the hosts.
While the defense was at its best, the offense was clicking as well for Purchase, who shot 42.6 percent to take control of the game.
The Panthers now have four regular-season games remaining, including three road contests and next Sunday's Senior Day at Purchase.
-With Bobby Ciafardini, SID
