Farmingdale, NY
(Jan. 9, 2016) – The win streak continued for the Purchase College men's basketball team at Farmingdale State Saturday.
Utilizing an impressive 1-3-1 scheme, the Panthers bounced back from an eight-point deficit at half to defeat the Rams 63-55 on their home floor. Purchase outscored FSC 43-27 over the final 20 minutes to improve to 7-7 overall, including 5-4 in the Skyline Conference standings. The loss dropped FSC to 5-8 on the winter and 5-3 in league play.
The Panthers have won three straight to start 2016, and four in a row dating back to the final game of 2015 – a Dec. 12 win over St. Joseph's College-LI.
Trailing 16-12 with 8:10 remaining in the first half, Farmingdale State guard Liam Monaghan converted all three free throws at the line after being fouled on a 3-point attempt to cut the Rams deficit to one. After a missed 3-pointer on Purchase's next possession, Monaghan connected on a 3 to put FSC ahead, 18-16.
The Rams went into halftime leading by eight, 28-20, as Monaghan and guard Trey Kinard each had six first half points.
FSC held a 47-42 advantage with 7:25 remaining, before Purchase used an 11-0 spurt over the next 3:51 to take their largest lead of the game at 53-47.
Monaghan hit a jumper the next time down the floor for the Rams, but the Panthers answered with a pair of
Taylor Foster (SR/Greenburgh, NY) free throws and a
Creig Graves (SR/Harlem, NY) jump shot to go ahead 57-49 with 2:00 left on the clock.
With 1:38 remaining, Kinard hit a pair of technical free throws to cut the Rams deficit to 57-52. FSC would only close within four points down the stretch as they fell by eight in the final.
Monaghan finished with 13 points and six assists.
The Panthers, who shot 18-for-22 from the line in the game, were led by Foster's game-high 18 points. Center
Joel Neri (SR/Port Chester, NY) added nine points and 10 rebounds, while
Nicholas Jackson (SR/Brooklyn, NY) and
Kalyn Credle (JR/Queens, NY) each contributed eight in the come-from-behind win.
Purchase returns to action Tuesday, looking to make it five straight at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
-Farmingdale State Sports Information Contributed to this report