New York, NY (Nov. 16, 2017) – Purchase College junior guard Amber Jones (Bronx, NY) buried a game-high 27 points while senior guard Kayla Ortiz (Brooklyn, NY) added 20 points to lead the Panthers to an 83-46 season-opening win over John Jay College Wednesday night at the Doghouse.

After shaking the off-season cobwebs, Purchase pulled ahead of the host Bloodhounds, 8-5, with a quick five points from Jones and a 3-pointer from Amber Yarter (JR/Albany, NY) in the opening minutes of action.  The Panthers carried the lead for the remainder of the contest.

The first quarter start belonged to Jones and Yarter. The two combined for 13 of the team's 18 opening points.

The Panthers got contributions throughout as well. Rookie forward Rianne John (FR/Brooklyn, NY) finished with a double-double performance, totaling 11 points and collecting 11 boards. Guards Alfa DeJesus (SO/Bronx, NY) and Dejeana Peoples (FR/New York, NY) added six points apiece, while junior forward Nyasia Harris (South Fallsburg, NY) chipped in with four points and six rebounds.

Purchase won the rebounding margin, 49-38, and also forced 30 turnovers.
 
John Jay was limited to 32 percent shooting for the game. The Bloodhounds (0-1) were led by Christianne Perez and her team-high 16 points.
 
Up next, the Panthers (1-0) are set to host the Cannoneers of Pratt Institute in the program's home-opener on Saturday (Nov. 18) at 12 p.m.