Purchase, NY (Dec. 6, 2016) – The Purchase College men's basketball team was looking to bounce back from a tough overtime loss, while also taking care of some retribution from last season's loss column, when New York University strutted onto the hardwood Tuesday night.

The Panthers did just that. Purchase recovered from Saturday's upset against Mount Saint Mary by downing the Violets – a team that beat them last winter – in a convincing 91-74 final.

Purchase is now 6-2. The defeat drops NYU to 4-2. The Violets were searching for the 500th career victory for head coach Joe Nesci, now in his 28th season, but the Panthers had other ideas, racing out to a comfortable 48-32 margin at the break.

Although the Violets would seriously threaten in the second stanza, closing to single digits, Purchase sealed the win behind a timely, long distance 3-pointer from Givvion Jones (JR/Mount Vernon, NY) and plenty of free throws in the last minutes.

Jones came off the bench to score 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting. He was among five Panthers in double figures offensively, including team leader Brian Berrios (JR/New York, NY). The guard finished with a team-high 20. Berrios was followed by fellow backcourt mate Michael Soffer (SO/Agoura, CA) and his 18 points. Soffer added six rebounds.

In the front court, Deshawn Cann (SO/Queens, NY) chipped in 13 points and 10 assists. His 10 dimes were a game high. Fellow forward Nikeem Deleon (JR/Bronx, NY) added 16 points and eight boards.
NYU had three players finish in double figures offensively, including Ross Udine. Udine had a game-high 22 points.

The Panthers played to a nice crowd on "White Out Night" at the gymnasium and will return home Saturday to close the first half of the season following Thursday night's road contest at the College of New Rochelle.