Purchase, NY (Nov. 24, 2015) – Put it in the books!  

Kyle Martin has his first home victory. And what a victory it was.

The new head men's basketball coach guided the Panthers to a come-from-behind win Tuesday night against Sarah Lawrence, fending off the feisty Gryphons late in the second half after the visitors held a slim advantage at halftime and even tied it with 8.6 seconds to play.  

By night's end, Nicholas Jackson (SR/Brooklyn, NY) would be the Panther hero; tipping in the game winner at the buzzer after two Purchase misses to seal a memorable 68-66 final.     

In the process, the Panthers collected a win in their home and Skyline Conference openers. The program also helped their new skipper pickup his first home victory. Last week, Martin earned his first career win as a college head coach against York.     

Purchase is now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The loss drops SLC to 1-2, including 0-2 in the Skyline.

The opening minutes saw each team in a back-and-forth affair. The Panthers held a 7-5 lead on a 3-pointer by Brandon Sillaro (SR/Patchogue, NY) at 16:38. The game would be tied at 9-9, 11-11 and 13-13 before Sarah Lawrence took a 15-13 lead on a made jumper by Mat Gerak at 13:33.

The see-saw battle continued throughout the half, with SLC bumping that margin to 24-19 on a layup by Malin Segal at 7:12. The Gryphons extended to seven points, but the Panthers chipped it back down to three (29-26) on a make by Taylor Foster (SR/Greenburgh, NY) at 3:53 in the first half.

Purchase trimmed it to one twice over the next two minutes, but scores by Parker Hagmaier and Austin Jones pushed the lead back to five (35-30).

Panther newcomer Kalyn Credle (JR/Queens, NY) recorded the last score of the first half on a 3-pointer with seven seconds left.

SLC led 35-33 at intermission.   

Sillaro tied the game immediately to start the second half, draining a jump shot out of the break.

The Panthers extended to 39-35, reeling off six straight behind consecutive hoops from guards Max Pearce (SO/Tuckahoe, NY) and Jose Reyes (SR/Bronx, NY).

The Gryphons scored back-to-back to tie it, but Purchase took a 41-39 advantage on a Foster basket before the Gryphons once again answered to knot it up.

Foster and the Panthers responded with a conventional style three-point play with a little over 16 minutes to play. Pearce followed with another score to increase the lead to 46-41.

Shortly later, Purchase head coach Kyle Martin turned to his bench, bringing in veteran guard Creig Graves (SR/Harlem, NY). Graves was instrumental for the Panthers, scoring seven straight, including a 3-pointer to bring the score to 54-45 at the midway marker of the second period. It was the largest lead of the night for Purchase.

SLC would not go quietly. The Gryphons whittled it back to five on a 3-pointer by Wyatt Rocheleau (55-50) at 8:47.

A layup by Graves, to go along with a continuation foul and made free throw by the senior guard, stretched the lead to 58-51 under eight minutes.

But at 6:38, Rocheleau connected on another 3 to close the gap to 58-54.

Both teams traded baskets on the ensuing possessions, which included a dunk by Purchase center Joel Neri (SR/Port Chester, NY). Foster followed with another score to make it 62-56 at 5:25.

The Gryphons went on a 5-2 run over the next three minutes to make it interesting. With 2:25 left, Purchase held a 64-61 margin. SLC closed to within one, 64-63, on a layup by Graham Gilleran.

Some key offensive rebounds helped Purchase hold possession under one minute.

Then, Foster was fouled by SLC and sent to the charity stripe, where the senior forward connected on both free throws for a 66-63 lead.

With 38.3 to go, SLC drew a foul and went 1 of 2. The Panthers played keep away, but were unable to convert, leading to a defensive rebound and fast break score for Segal, tying the score at 66-all with 8.6 seconds remaining.  

Purchase went the length of the floor and it appeared that overtime was evident until Jackson swooped in and tipped in the game-winning basket. Officials confirmed the hoop and the Panthers swarmed Jackson – the hero of the night.

SLC had three players finish in double figures, including Rocheleau and his game-high 14. Purchase also had three players in double figures, including Foster and Graves, who shared the team high of 12 points. Neri added 11 points and six rebounds in a double-double effort.   

Now, the surging Panthers, winners of three of their last four, will resume their schedule following the Thanksgiving holiday.