Purchase, NY (Jan. 4, 2017) – After shaking some holiday break rust, the Purchase College men's basketball team – in action for the first time since Dec. 10 – came up short tonight against visiting Sage, despite tying the game in the final minute.

The Gators escaped with an 87-81 Skyline Conference victory.

Sage held a 42-38 advantage at the break, but the Panthers, who were down nine with under 10 minutes left, challenged over the final three minutes. A Brian Berrios (JR/New York, NY) 3-pointer cut the deficit to 80-77. The guard was found on the perimeter following a missed shot attempt on a terrific feed from Kayvon Reid (SR/Tuckahoe, NY). Reid would follow the assist with a dunk on the next possession that closed the game to one.

A made free throw pushed Sage to 81-79, but a Berrios steal and layup knotted the game with 40 seconds remaining. A Panther foul and a costly turnover on an inbound play shortly after turned into four free throw attempts for the Gators. Sage connected on all four from the charity stripe and never looked back, sealing the six-point win at the line.

Sage, which was playing its second game of the post holiday break, improves to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in league play. The loss dropped Purchase to 7-4 and 1-2 in conference.

The first half featured six ties and two lead changes for each squad. Sage combined to shoot 80 percent from three-point range in the period, converting 4-of-5 shots.

Davon Sylvester, who earned Skyline Player of the Week honors Monday, finished with a team-leading 25 points. The Gators had three players finish in double figures offensively, including starter Marcus Paterson and reserve Wayne Weir.

The Panthers had five players hit double figures, led by Deshawn Cann (SO/Queens, NY) and his team-high 16. He also added eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in the loss. Berrios chipped in 13 points, including 11 in the second half to spur Purchase on down the stretch following a slow start.

Reid starred off the bench, going 6 of 8 from the field for 15 points. He also hauled in eight boards and registered one block in 21 minutes. Nikeem Deleon (JR/Bronx, NY) and Michael Soffer (SO/Agoura, CA) netted 15 and 12 points, respectively.  

Purchase will look to bounce back Saturday at Sarah Lawrence.