Patchogue, NY (Feb. 2, 2017) – Junior guard Kayla Ortiz (Brooklyn, NY) logged her second 30-point game, as the Purchase College women's basketball team dropped a 71-65 decision at Skyline Conference opponent St. Joseph's College (L.I.) on Thursday.

In a game that would see zero lead changes, SJC would get on the board first, courtesy of a Jakie Zizzo 3-pointer just 15 seconds into the game. Up 11-7, the Golden Eagles sparked a 14-0 run into the 1:21 mark before exiting the first with a 25-9 lead.
 
St. Joe's stretched its lead to 24 points in the second quarter, closing the first half with a 40-16 advantage.

Frances Minaya (SR/San Fernando, CA) started the third quarter with a made 3-pointer, but Gubell answered back with a 3 of her own to keep the host's lead to 24 (43-19). The Panthers then exploded with a 16-2 run until the 2:20 mark to close their deficit to just eight points.
 
The Panthers would come as close to four points of SJC but the Golden Eagles held off any comeback attempt by Purchase to claim the 71-65 win.
 
Minaya and Lisa Kentris (SO/Latham, NY) closed the game with double-double performances for Purchase. Minaya tallied 13 points and 13 boards, while Kentris netted 10 points and collected 11 rebounds. Rookie forward Isis Gonzalez (FR/New York, NY) chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds.

In addition to her game-high 30 points, Ortiz led the Panthers with a team-best seven assists, three blocks and two steals.

With the win, the Golden Eagles improve to 6-14 (5-8 Skyline) on the year as the Panthers fall to 2-16 (1-12 Skyline).