Purchase, NY (Feb. 14, 2016) – Fueled by an emotional Senior Day farewell to Elizabeth Osowiecki and Kristine Viven, Purchase women's basketball sent the two out winners in Sunday's final regular-season home game.

The Panthers upended St. Joseph's College-LI 48-43, overcoming a narrow 21-20 deficit at the break following a fast start at the outset.

Purchase was up early, but the Golden Eagles rallied until midway through the second, where the Panthers regained control and pulled out an inspiring victory with Osowiecki and Viven in mind.

Center Danielle Holmes (SO/Warwick, NY) was pivotal, dropping 10 points and 14 rebounds – both team highs. She shared the scoring high for the Panthers with Osowiecki, who finished with 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals in another solid all-around effort.

Viven (SR/New York, NY) added nine points and eight boards in her home finale, while Frances Minaya (JR/San Fernando, CA) came off the bench to score nine points on three 3-pointers, and teammate Allison Haugh (JR/New City, NY) completed the well-balanced attack with eight points.

In defeat, SJC-LI (6-17, 3-11 Skyline Conference) was led by Andrea Iavarone, who totaled game highs of 16 points and 19 rebounds.

Prior to the game, Osowiecki and Viven were recognized during the program's Valentine's Day Senior Day. Purchase Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini presided over the brief ceremony as event MC, which included friends, family and loved ones of the two seniors. Viven was joined by her mom, while Osowiecki was joined by her parents at center court. Osowiecki was also presented with her 1,000-point milestone basketball right before tip-off.

"She's a smart, versatile guard that came to us from New York City and has performed better and better each season," Ciafardini said of Viven. "Last year, she reached averages of nearly nine points per game and nine rebounds per game, while also finishing second on the team with 67 assists. This season, she is averaging 11.5 points per game. Head coach Jim Alfredo commented on her athleticism, basketball IQ and maturity, saying that Kristine has made all of her teammates better players."  

Osowiecki eclipsed the 1,000-point mark this season and has enjoyed a four-year Panther career that has included just about every honor one could achieve. "She was a key member of Purchase's conference championship participant her rookie campaign, helped the team return to the league playoffs as a sophomore and has nurtured the program as an upperclassmen the last two seasons, all while continuing to pile up the stats and the honors," Ciafardini said.  

"The two-time all-conference selection is a super student, too. She is a perennial conference academic honor roll selection, a perennial Purchase College scholar-athlete, won the SUNY Chancellors' Scholar-Athlete award and comes into today's action with 1,165 career points, ranking among the best players in Purchase history."    

The Senior Day festivities set the tone and Purchase responded by playing one of its best games of the season. The Panthers (2-21, 2-12) have two road games remaining.