Bronxville, NY (Jan. 20, 2018) – Sarah Lawrence College's Malin Segal led a balanced attacked in an 81-79 final over Purchase College Saturday at Campbell Sports Center.  

Sarah Lawrence improved to 4-14 overall, including 3-10 in conference play. Purchase is now 9-6 and 6-5, respectively.

It was a see-saw battle between the two schools, featuring four ties and 13 lead changes.

The Gryphons opened the contest with an 8-2 run, but the Panthers, who entered Saturday with conference wins over Mount Saint Mary, Maritime, St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, Yeshiva and Old Westbury, countered with seven straight points to take the lead.

A layup from BJ Sanders with 15 seconds remaining in the half sent Sarah Lawrence into the locker room with a 44-42 lead.

Knotted at 50 in the second half, the Gryphons scored seven straight points, capped off by a triple from Luke O'Connor. SLC maintained its lead throughout the half with timely baskets, holding on to an 81-72 lead with 3:59 left in the period.

Purchase showed its mettle, scoring seven unanswered points to shrink the deficit to one possession with 1:09 on the clock.

The Panthers had an opportunity at a game-tying basket with 0.08 on the clock, but failed to convert, giving SLC its first-ever win over the Skyline foe.
Segal was one of five Gryphons to finish in double-figures, posting 15 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals, becoming the program's leader in that department on a milestone day.

Purchase was led by Rob Grullon (JR/Wallkill, NY) and his 18 points off the bench. Deshawn Cann (JR/Queens, NY) and Tarik Allicock (SR/Brooklyn, NY) added 13 points apiece, while Allicock registered a double-double, notching a team-best 14 rebounds. Nikeem Deleon (SR/Bronx, NY) contributed 16 points and three steals.

Despite the loss, it was a memorable day for Purchase. SLC joined Saunders High School for a "Pride on the Court" doubleheader in partnership with Nike's "BETRUE" campaign, an initiative with the goal of ending discrimination in sports.

On Friday, Jan. 19, SLC hosted a panel at Campbell Sports Center, featuring guest speakers Jason Collins, a 13-year NBA veteran and the league's first openly gay player, Saunders men's basketball head coach Anthony Nicodemo, the first openly gay basketball coach in Westchester County, and DJ and music producer Zeke Thomas, son of 12-time NBA All-Star Isiah Thomas.

Kevin Devaney Jr., long-time sports journalist for The Journal News and LoHud.com, served as the event's moderator.  

Sarah Lawrence and Saunders showed their support on the court Saturday as the Gryphons hosted Purchase. The college game was followed by a matchup between Saunders and Somers High School.

All proceeds from the games were given to the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

BETRUE started in 2012 with a grassroots effort led by passionate Nike employees. To connect with the LGBTQ community in a personalized way, they made a few styles with NIKEiD in celebration of Pride month. United by a common mission to innovate for all athletes and provide equal access to sport, these employees developed a plan to bring BETRUE to more people. In the US, since 2012, Nike has provided approximately $2.5 million in financial and in-kind support to LGBTQ causes.

-SLC Sports Information Contributed to this report