New York, NY (Feb. 17, 2018) – A Farmingdale State victory over the College of Mount Saint Vincent early Saturday made the evening's final score at Yeshiva University inconsequential for the Purchase Panthers.

That had already secured the No. 2 seed in the Skyline Conference Championships. The first-round bye immediately places the Panthers in the Skyline semifinals Thursday night at home. Game time is set for 7 p.m. The Panthers will host the winner of Tuesday night's game between Old Westbury and CMSV.

Purchase (17-8, 13-7 Skyline) fell in the regular season finale to YU, 86-75. The Maccabees clinched the No. 4 seed on Senior Night. They will face No. 5 Mount Saint Mary in the first round Tuesday. That winner will meet No. 1 Farmingdale State in the other semifinal Thursday night. The conference championship is set for Saturday, Feb. 24.

**Skyline Conference Championships Bracket** 

Yeshiva (15-10, 13-7) got off to a sluggish start, falling behind 31-26. However, the Maccabees responded by scoring eight unanswered points, capped off by back-to-back 3-point field goals by Simcha Halpert and Eli Mamann to give YU a three-point lead with 2:17 remaining until the intermission.

In the closing seconds of the opening period, Halpert kicked the ball out to Gabriel Leifer, whose 3 extended Yeshiva's lead to 39-35, and that would be the score at the half.

The Maccabees' momentum from the end of the first half carried over into the second, and ultimately on the way to victory. For the game, Leifer produced a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. 

Deshawn Cann (JR/Queens, NY) paced Purchase with 22 points. Tarik Allicock (SR/Brooklyn, NY) recorded a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Nikeem Deleon (SR/Bronx, NY) chipped in 15 points and a team-best three assists and two steals in the loss.

Thursday night's league semifinal will be a "White Out Night" for Purchase. Panther fans are encouraged to dress in white for the home playoff. The Skyline will be charging admission. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children. Skyline Conference students with campus ID are free.  

2018 Skyline Conference Men's Basketball Championship
 
Seeds
1. Farmingdale State (18-7, 16-4 Skyline)
2. Purchase (17-8, 13-7)
3. Mount Saint Vincent (15-10, 13-7)
4. Yeshiva (15-10, 13-7)
5. Mount Saint Mary (13-12, 13-7) 
6. Old Westbury (12-13, 11-9)
 
First Round - Tuesday, Feb. 20
Old Westbury at Mount Saint Vincent - 7 p.m.
Mount Saint Mary at Yeshiva - 8 p.m.
 
Semifinals - Thursday, Feb. 22
 Old Westbury/Mount Saint Vincent winner at Purchase - 7 p.m.
Mount Saint Mary/Yeshiva winner at Farmingdale State - 7 p.m.
 
Final - Saturday, Feb. 24 *
 Semifinal winners, at highest remaining seed (time TBA)
 
* - accommodations will be made for religious observances