PURCHASE, NY – The Purchase College women's basketball team stormed out to an 11-3 lead in the first quarter against Baruch College Tuesday night, but the host Bearcats settled into a rhythm and came back for a 77-47 victory in the ARC Arena.  
The Panthers drop to 0-2 overall while the Bearcats move to 4-0 on the young season.

Purchase sophomore guard Shadai Plowden (Yonkers, NY) led the Panthers with 16 points and seven rebounds. Senior forward Arta Krasniqi (Bronx, NY) produced 10 points, a team-best eight boards and an impressive four blocks.

Purchase shot 40 percent from the field in the first 10 minutes as the team built up the eight-point advantage on the Bearcats. Krasniqi broke the scoring with a layup off the assist from Plowden.

Baruch slowly chipped away at the deficit to tie the game at 16-apiece after the first quarter.

Purchase struggled to connect in the next 10 minutes and closed the half with a 12-point deficit (36-24).

The Bearcats used solid defense to keep the Panthers to only 30 percent shooting (8-for-26) in the second half. The hosts converted 13 Purchase turnovers into nine points and combined for 53 percent shooting (17-for-32) en route to the 77-47 victory.

Baruch was led by Nia Dawson with 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Frances Snyder recorded a season-high 17 points and Melinda Spahiu netted 19 points, five assists and three steals. Daniela Zirpolo finished with a double-double performance that included 12 points and 12 boards.

The Panthers are back on the road this Friday to take on the Cardinals of Plattsburgh State. The non-conference tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.

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