Teaneck, NJ (Nov. 17, 2018) – Purchase standout senior Amber Jones (Bronx, NY) led all scorers with a season-best 38 points on opening day of the FDU-Florham Tip-Off Classic. Despite her efforts, the Panthers came up short in a 77-73 overtime decision to non-conference rival Rutgers University-Newark.

After the undefeated Scarlet Raiders (2-0) built a double-digit lead at 21-10 early in the second quarter, Purchase (0-2) rallied with six unanswered points.

Newark entered the fourth period with a slim one-point lead, which was quickly erased with a 3-pointer from Jones. The play jumpstarted a quarter that featured six lead changes and four ties.

Purchase nearly won the game as freshman forward Shadai Plowden (Yonkers, NY) knocked down a pair of clutch freebies with just 10 seconds remaining to make it 66-63. Still, Hannah Ashby responded, draining a huge triple off a feed from Dorian Capurso as time expired in regulation to send the teams to overtime.

In the extra period there were two early lead changes and one tie but the Scarlet Raiders built a four-point edge behind a lay-in by Hannah Ashby and free throws from Elisha Cross and Capurso.

The Panthers pulled back within two but their efforts fell short as Ashby sealed the win with a pair of shots from the charity stripe with just one second remaining.
  
For Purchase, Jones connected on six 3-pointers in the game while also pulling down five boards. Plowden totaled 14 points, five rebounds, two blocks and a pair of steals.

Senior center Nyasia Harris (South Fallsburg, NY) recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 16 rebounds (5 offensive), while junior forward Arta Krasniqi (Bronx, NY) notched a game-high 18 boards.

Purchase returns to the court today to take on New Jersey City University for game two of the FDU Tip-Off Classic.

-RU Sports Information contributed to this article