Brooklyn, NY (Dec. 5, 2017) – A strong surge in the first half fell short Tuesday night for the Purchase College women's basketball team, as the Panthers dropped a Skyline Conference game, 62-50, on the road to St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn).  Purchase (2-5, 0-3 SKY) entered the third quarter holding onto a 32-27 lead before being outscored in the final two stanzas, 35-18.

Senior Kayla Ortiz (Brooklyn, NY) scored 15 of her team-high 18 points in the first half to lead Purchase. Junior Amber Jones (Bronx, NY) recorded 15 points and grabbed seven boards, while junior Nyasia Harris (South Fallsburg, NY) paced the Panther defense with a game-best 10 rebounds.

With close to five minutes left in the third quarter, Purchase junior Amber Yarter (Albany, NY) buried a 3-pointer, assisted by Jones, to widen the Panther lead to 35-31. St. Joe's (4-4, 2-2 SKY) answered back with a 7-0 run to finish the quarter ahead, 38-31.

The Bears kept the momentum going in the final quarter, including nine unanswered points that secured the victory in the end.
 
SJC had three of its five starters reach double figures led by Victoria Porcasi's game-high 20 points.  

Up next, Purchase hosts a Skyline doubleheader against Yeshiva University on Thursday. The women's 8 p.m. tipoff will follow the men's 6 p.m. game.