Purchase, NY (Jan. 4, 2016) – Trailing by seven at the break, Purchase regrouped in its first action of 2016, upending St. Joseph's College-Brooklyn in a 71-70 finish that came down to the buzzer.

The Panthers, which were behind 39-32 at halftime, rallied in the second half to turnaround a key conference matchup with the SJC-BKLYN – a program that entered the night as the fourth-best team in conference play.

The game was decided in the last two seconds. With 00:01, Purchase forward Taylor Foster (SR/Greenburgh, NY) was fouled and sent to the charity stripe with the game tied 70-70. He missed the first free throw, but connected on the second for the slim one-point lead.

Having to go the length of the floor with one second remaining, the Bears inbounded the ball and found standout Matt O'Neill, one of the top shooters in the league, who launched a half-court 3-pointer that hit the front of the rim, ending the game.

Purchase avoided overtime on the made free throw by Foster and had escaped losing on a miraculous heave at the buzzer.

O'Neill led the visitors with 20 points, including two of the team's eight 3s on the night. Joseph Idyahia added 15 off the bench, while Jamir Archer and Michael Megafu contributed 14 and 11, respectively.   

Foster was one of four Panthers in double-figures offensively. He paced Purchase with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while sinking the biggest shot of the evening. His double-double performance, along with steady play from teammates Nicholas Jackson (SR/Brooklyn, NY), Kalyn Credle (JR/Queens, NY) and Jose Reyes (SR/Bronx, NY) helped Purchase come from behind.

Jackson and Credle totaled 13 points apiece. Reyes added 12 to pair with a team-high five assists. Reyes connected on four triples and Credle recorded two of his own. The duo accounted for six of the program's eight 3s.

Purchase center Joel Neri (SR/Port Chester, NY) netted six points, seven rebounds and three blocks as well. Reserve Julian Wright (SR/Mount Vernon, NY) played some valuable minutes. He scored five points off the bench for the Panthers in the win.

The Panthers are now 5-7 overall and 3-4 in Skyline Conference play. The loss drops SJC-BKLYN to 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the league.

Purchase returns to action Thursday night at home.