Purchase, NY (Feb. 11, 2017) – Purchase weathered a hot start and a late rally by Sarah Lawrence Saturday at home on its way to its third straight conference win. 

The Panthers held off SLC, 73-68. In the process, Purchase has defeated the Gryphons twice this season. The Panthers, winners of three straight in league play, improved to 15-8 overall and 9-5 in the Skyline. The loss dropped SLC to 8-15 and 4-10.   

In the second half, Givvion Jones (JR/Mount Vernon, NY) started the scoring with a floater to make it 40-29. Two and a half minutes in, a Jones layup off an offensive rebound made it 42-29. The Panthers then increased their halftime margin with a 3-pointer by Brian Berrios (JR/New York, NY) and another dazzling layup by the point guard on the next two possessions (47-29).

Moments later, a Tarik Allicock (JR/Brooklyn, NY) three-point play (basket and foul), and 3-pointer by Michael Soffer (SO/Agoura, CA) gave Purchase a commanding lead.

It was 53-36 Purchase with a little over 13 minutes to go, when Panther head coach Kyle Martin called a timeout. 

But an 8-4 run by SLC followed and closed the gap to 57-44 at 8:23. The Gryphons used full court pressure to get back in the game. A 3-pointer by Gabriel Eng brought SLC to within nine (57-48) at seven minutes.

The visitors would stay within seven to 10 points and closed the gap to five under six minutes on a layup by key reserve Jeff Jordan (59-54).

However, a Berrios 3 from the wing – off the backboard – made it 64-56 under five minutes, helping to provide some cushion. SLC answered right back with a score by Joseph Kleeman.

With four minutes to go, the Gryphons kept pace, reeling off an 8-7 spurt over three minutes of action to close to 71-66 at 1:06. SLC then made it 71-68 on a hoop by BJ Sanders.

The Panthers, despite some troubles from the charity stripe, were able to seal the game from the free-throw line and through some solid defensive sets in the closing minute. That play thwarted SLC and helped seal Purchase's third straight victory overall.

For the game, Purchase had four players finish in double figures offensively, including Jones (share of game-high 17 points) and Berrios (12). The Gryphons had four in double figures, too. SLC's Graham Gilleran matched Jones, while Eng followed with 12.

Don't be fooled by SLC's record. The Gryphons are pesky.  

SLC opened the contest with a five-point strike, prompting a Panther timeout at 18:55 in the first half. The Gryphons extended the lead to 8-2 on another 3-pointer, but Purchase regrouped behind Deshawn Cann (SO/Queens, NY) and Jones early.

A layup and jumper by Jones closed the gap to 8-6.

The visitors then pulled ahead 13-10 before Berrios got into the scoring column with a dribble-drive.

With the Panthers within one, SLC showcased its long-range ability, knocking down back-to-back 3s for a 19-12 advantage.

The hosts then rebounded with a 10-6 spurt that keyed the first-half turnaround. A Jones dagger 3 from Kewan Beebe (JR/Glen Cove, NY) with seven and a half minutes to go before the break knotted the game at 27-all.  

The two teams went scoreless over the next two minutes and would tie the game once more, this time at 29-29. Two free throws from Kayvon Reid (SR/Tuckahoe, NY) re-extended the lead for Purchase (31-29) under three minutes.

The Panthers held a 38-29 lead at the break, recovering from an early deficit nicely before the half.

Nikeem Deleon (JR/Bronx, NY) led Purchase with 10, first-half points off the bench. Jones added nine. SLC was paced by Gilleran and his 12, first-half points.

Purchase has two regular-season games remaining, including next Saturday's Senior Day festivities at home. The postseason, which the Panthers remain on target for, opens Feb. 21.