Box Score 

Purchase, NY (Feb. 19, 2014) – Wednesday night's men's basketball final was a mere backdrop to the Senior Night festivities that precluded the 84-65 drumming over Sage.
 
No. 16 Purchase once again looked strong, dealing yet another conference opponent a double-digit defeat. But all the buzz in the building centered around the pre-game ceremony, which brought together family members of the team's five senior players, as well as friends and other loved ones.
 
Before tip-off, Purchase recognized the efforts of its five graduates on and off the court by holding its annual senior salute in the final regular-season home game. Jake Stevens III (SR/Brooklyn, NY), Ryan Lobban (SR/Bronx, NY), Isaac Campbell (SR/Mount Vernon, NY) and team captains David Haughton (SR/Greenburgh, NY) and Andre Nixon (SR/Harlem, NY) were all celebrated prior to the contest.  
 
Stevens III was named the starting point guard in his first year because of his crafty passing, while Lobban also ran the offense in his time here and helped lead the Panthers to a Skyline Conference title last season as the starting playmaker. Campbell is a fan favorite reserve, who usually hears "We want Soup!" chants toward the end of games. "He has gone through a lot to play his last semester of college ball," said Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini, who MCed the brief ceremony.
 
Haughton has been a man possessed on the boards this season, as well as being a solid post defender and shot blocker.
 
Finally comes Nixon, who is less than 50 points away from reaching the 1,000 plateau. This is a considerable achievement because he did not play much in his freshman year. Eventually, he established himself and won multiple conference player of the week awards, along with being selected to the All-Skyline team.
 
Unfortunately, starting point guard Lobban could not join the festivities due to a 102 degree fever. Nonetheless, in addition to the victory, there was plenty of joy to spare.
 
The pregame ceremony was a touching one, with family members cheering on their respective sons and the fans applauding the players. Even some members of the Sage team couldn't help but clap and it didn't let up for the rest of the night, at least on the home side.
 
The crowd roared with every made jumper and erupted with every rim-rattling dunk. It was a night to remember for the guys in their final year of college.
 
The soon to be alumni on the team left their last home game of the regular season on a high note with yet another win, making it nine straight. The squad has been riding a lot of momentum that has been sustained all season.
 
They are 23-1 headed to their last regular-season game of the campaign and are looking at their fourth Skyline Conference Championship in five years. "It's a great feeling," Haughton said. "I'm glad I'm doing it with the people I love."
 
The feeling is mutual for the Panthers' biggest perimeter threat. "This is everything I've ever dreamt about," said Nixon, with beads of sweat still shining on his forehead. That effort has been much appreciated by his teammates and the Purchase faithful. "I feel really accomplished and there's no better place to do it than Purchase," added Nixon.
 
Let's come back to the game, shall we? Tonight's major contributors were Joel Neri (JR/Port Chester, NY), who had a game-high 24 points. He also hauled in seven rebounds and posted three rejections; Nixon who added 19 of his own points, four boards and dished out three dimes; and Stevens, scoring 11 points, grabbing five rebounds, handing out five assists and snatching a steal, before he fouled out with less than three minutes to play.
 
In defeat, the star players of the night for the Gators were Marcus Patterson, who had 13 points, three boards, one assist, and one steal, and Melvin Ford, who had a team-high 17 points, a game-high nine rebounds and one assist.
 
Looking forward, the team has to feel pretty good, as Nixon imparted his experience. "There's some freshman on the team, so I'm just trying to mentor them, make sure they stay confident and learn the system because the matchup zone is tough," said Nixon.
 
Purchase has one regular-season game remaining – this Saturday at SJC-LI – before receiving a first-round bye in the conference tournament. The Panthers will then host the league semifinals next Thursday night at Purchase.