PURCHASE, NY - The Purchase College men's basketball team closed out the 2019 home schedule with a bang Saturday afternoon, as the Panthers topped NESCAC powerhouse and previously unbeaten, Hamilton College, 97-76.
Entering the contest, the Continentals were 7-0, just outside the top-25 national rankings and were riding a 43-game winning streak in non-conference regular season games. However, the Panthers (3-4) were not intimidated by those numbers and came roaring out of the gate to start.
Purchase scored the first eight points of the day, en route to a 12-3 lead with just over three minutes played.
The Panthers' advantage continued to grow during the opening 20 minutes, expanding to as many as 15 points against the Continentals, who entered the season coming off back-to-back appearances in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
However, with such a pedigree on the court, Hamilton wasn't going to be held back all game. Down by the score of 34-19 with 8:34 left in the first half, Hamilton embarked on 28-16 run over the rest of the frame to cut the halftime deficit to just three points, 50-47.
In the second half, the two sides continued to battle back-and forth during the opening minutes, which eventually resulted in Hamilton's first and only lead of the day, 55-54, with 16:24 left.
The lead was short lived though, as a three pointer from
Maxx Miller (SR/White Plains, NY) one minute later put the Panthers back in front for good. Over the next three minutes, Purchase outscored the guests, 15-3, and extended its advantage back into double digits.
From there, the Panthers cruised to the end and secured their third-straight win of the season.
On the day, shooting was the deciding factor between the two squads. Purchase finished with a 52.9% mark overall, while going 50% from three-point range and 85% from the foul line. Meanwhile, Hamilton recorded shooting totals of just 37.8, 20.8 and 83.3% respectively.
The hosts also lived in the paint in the win, as they scored 58 of their 90 points down low and dominated the rebounding battle, 50-32.
Junior
Elijah Lott (Albany, NY) continued to excel in 2019, as he finished with a game-high 27 points. Lott also added nine rebounds and nine assists, despite being hampered by ankle issues throughout.
As for the rest of the Panthers, it was a total team effort, with everyone chipping in. Miller finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals, while
Jorge Perdomo (JR/Bronx, NY) tallied 15 points.
Elijah Harris (SR/Flushing, NY) recorded 14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and played stellar defense on the wing.
Kyle Menard (SO/Paramus, NJ) chipped in 11 points and
Andre Peguero (JR/Boynton Beach, FL) added 11 rebounds and eight points in the win.
For the Continentals, Kena Gilmour (SR/New Paltz, NY) led the way with 20 points.
Up next for the Panthers is another tough battle at the York College Invitational next weekend, as the team battles Gwynedd Mercy University on December 13th at 7:30 p.m.
Gwynedd Mercy also made the NCAA Tournament last season and is off to 5-1 start this year. You can follow along that game right here.
