Purchase, NY (Jan. 3, 2018) – The Purchase College women's basketball team picked up where it left off in the first half of the season: In victory lane.

The Panthers returned from the holiday break Wednesday night and recorded a 62-57 home win against the College of Mount Saint Vincent.

And for Purchase, it was all about a strong start to the night.  

Long-range shooting helped Purchase jump out to a 12-2 advantage in the first quarter. Amber Yarter (JR/Albany, NY) and Dejeana Peoples (FR/New York, NY) highlighted the prowess from behind the arc early.

However, CMSV chipped away at the deficit and inched its way back to within 24-14 before closing the half on a 16-6 run.

Purchase held a 32-30 lead at halftime, despite the second-quarter surge from the Dolphins.

Yarter, Amber Jones (JR/Bronx, NY) and Nyasia Harris (JR/South Fallsburg, NY) combined to score 20 of the team's 32 first-half points, with Yarter leading the way with eight.

CMSV's Garbiela Goldman and Kelly Oliver netted nine and eight points, respectively. The Dolphins got back into the game by controlling the glass. They outrebounded Purchase 26-19 in the first half.

Purchase outscored CMSV 15-13 in the third quarter and held off a late Dolphins push in the fourth.

Leading 60-57, the Panthers got two important free throws from Ortiz in the final seconds to ice the game. The hosts managed to outscore CMSV 15-14 in the fourth, winning three of the four quarters on the night.

Jones led the way with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists and four steals in 39 minutes. Harris scored 13 points and hauled in a game-high 18 rebounds, dominating on the glass. Her double-double effort was paired with nine points from Alfa DeJesus (SO/Bronx, NY), eight points from Yarter and nine more points from Ortiz. Peoples came off the bench and netted six points.

Nadia Shadi (JR/New York, NY), Giana Fanelli (SO/Larchmont, NY) and Lumturja Huseinovic (JR/Brooklyn, NY) also saw action in the conference win.

Purchase improved to 7-5, including 4-1 in the Skyline. The loss dropped CMSV to 5-5 and 3-4, respectively.

The Dolphins were paced by Goldman and her 12 points.