Purchase, NY (Jan. 29, 2017) – In a postseason rematch from last winter, Yeshiva University bounced back from a slim deficit Sunday at the break to slide past host Purchase College, 79-77.

The Panthers, who fell to YU in the first round of the conference tournament last February, renewed acquaintances with the Maccabees for the first time since and held a 37-36 lead at halftime. But in the second half, the 3-pointer loomed large for the Macs, coupled with some early trouble for the Panthers at the free throw line, as the visitors escaped with a two-point win.

Yeshiva outscored Purchase 43-40 over the final 20 minutes, shooting 10 for 20 beyond the arc for the game, including four 3s in the final period. The Panthers went 17 of 24 from the charity stripe, but did connect on 11 of 14 in the second half. YU held the rebounding edge, 40-35.

Macs standout Judah Cohen was the difference. He finished with a game-high 23 points, hitting seven 3s. YU turned the first 10 minutes of the second half around, holding a double-digit lead until the Panthers soared back over the final eight minutes of the contest. Purchase chipped away and closed within two in the final minute.

Panther guard Brian Berrios (JR/New York, NY) went to the line and connected on the first, but the team elected to try and miss the free throw in hopes of capturing the rebound and possibly going back up for the tie with four tenths remaining. The Panthers got their chance thanks to a Michael Soffer (SO/Agoura, CA) 3 at the 12-second mark that keyed Purchase's late threat.

Instead, the Berrios free throw went out of bounds and turned the ball back over to YU. The Macs inbounded and the clock expired before Purchase could foul, sending the visitors home with a narrow victory.

In the process, Purchase is now 13-6 overall, including 6-4 in Skyline Conference play. The league win improves YU to 6-2 in conference and 10-6 overall.

Berrios totaled 10 second-half points, joining teammate Givvion Jones (JR/Mount Vernon, NY) in holding the team lead in that category. Berrios finished with a team-high 21. Jones followed with 19 points, while also pulling down 11 rebounds en route to a nice double-double effort in the loss. Deshawn Cann (SO/Queens, NY) chipped in 11, while Kewan Beebe (JR/Glen Cove, NY) contributed 12 off the bench.

YU had four players – four of the five starters – finish in double figures offensively. Simcha Halpert followed Cohen, adding 13. Michael Berg finished with a solid overall stat line, posting 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, the latter of two team highs. Dean Pienica added 12 points in the win. Cohen scored 12 of his 23 in the first half. He then notched 11 in the second half, joining teammate Halpert in the share of the second-half high with Purchase's Berrios.