Purchase, NY (Jan. 27, 2018) – Three straight!

Purchase men's basketball extended its win streak Saturday at home, dominating visiting USMMA, 67-49.

Things are starting to click for Purchase and the timing couldn't be better with February looming. With the postseason just around the corner, the Panthers built on early leads and even navigated around one spurt from the Mariners in staying hot.

After the game was tied 2-2 in the opening minute, Purchase reeled off a nice spurt of its own to take a 12-6 advantage. Michael Soffer (JR/Agoura Hills, CA) splashed in a jumper to make it 14-6 and just moments later, the running-and-gunning Panthers bumped the score to 21-8 on a Brian Berrios (SR/New York, NY) layup.

But USMMA showed some resilience in the first half. The visitors put together a nice 9-4 run to cut the lead to 25-17.

However, Purchase fought back and regained the double-digit margin over the final four minutes of the period. Tarik Allicock (SR/Brooklyn, NY) slammed home a dunk to increase the lead to 33-21 and Soffer connected on a 3-pointer to help the hosts close out the half, 36-21.

Allicock led Purchase with eight first-half points. Deshawn Cann (JR/Queens, NY) netted seven points, seven assists and seven rebounds over the first 20 minutes. USMMA was paced by David Washington in the first half. He scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

In the second half, Purchase steadily took control. In the first seven-plus minutes, the lead ballooned to 48-29. Purchase never looked back. It was 54-33 with eight-plus to minutes to go – a deficit too large for USMMA to recover from.

Washington shined in the loss for the Mariners. He posted 14 points, 18 rebounds, three blocks, one steal and two assists, good for a double-double.

Meanwhile, Allicock also performed well in the frontcourt. He scored 14 points and hauled in eight boards, while adding a game-high four blocks to his credit. He also recorded two of the team's 12 steals.

Purchase's defensive effort keyed the victory. The hustling Panthers finished with eight team blocks and 12 steals on the afternoon. Cann led the way in that category with three swipes.

Cann finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in a near triple-double.

Not to be outdone, Nikeem Deleon (SR/Bronx, NY) recorded the team's only double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds). Fellow starter Rob Grullon (JR/Wallkill, NY) chipped in 10 points. He has made a significant impact since joining the starting lineup from a reserve role.

Purchase will not hit the road for two games.