PURCHASE, NY - Anytime a game features 18 lead changes and 11 ties, the team that suffers the loss is certainly going to feel the pain at the end.

Unfortunately on Saturday, the Purchase College men's basketball team was the recipient of such a loss, as the Panthers fell in a heartbreaker, 79-73, to the Gryphons of Sarah Lawrence College in overtime. 

During the first half, neither side led by more than four points over the 20-minute frame, as Sarah Lawrence (5-7 overall, 1-2 Skyline Conference) emerged from the stanza with a 32-30 advantage at the halftime break.

To begin the second half, the Gryphons scored five straight to extend their lead to its biggest of the day, 37-30, with 19:10 remaining. But just as quickly as Sarah Lawrence built up the margin, Purchase (6-5, 1-1 Sky) cut right into it.

During the next two minutes, Purchase outscored the guests, 8-0, to jump back in front.

It was at that moment that the wildness of the game really kicked in. Over the next six minutes, the lead changed seven more times, before the Panthers finally started to open up the game. Purchase proceeded to score eight-straight points to push its margin to its largest of the game, 52-45, with 10:23 remaining. 

Sarah Lawrence kept fighting though, as the guests rallied back in front over the next few minutes, only for a jumper from Elijah Harris (SR/Flushing, NY) to retake the lead for the Panthers.

From there, the Panthers led the rest of the frame and were setup in prime position to earn the win. In fact, the hosts led, 68-61, with just 1:17 left in the half.

But just like they had done all game long, the Gryphons answered.

Over the final minute, the guests scored seven straight and limited Purchase to two turnovers and a missed shot at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. In the extra period, the battle continued.

After each side scored a pair of points to start the half, Omar Jamaleddine (SO/Middle Valley, NY) nailed an off-balance one-handed three-point dagger for the guests with three minutes to go. 

It was at that moment, that fate seemed to be favoring the Gryphons in the contest. To make matters worse, the Panthers were held scoreless for nearly four-straight minutes in the OT period, falling behind 75-70 with less than a minute to go.

However, the hosts did manage to create one final opportunity late, as Jorge Perdomo (JR/Bronx, NY) nailed a three pointer to make it 75-73 with 48 seconds to go. On the ensuing play, the Panthers forced Sarah Lawrence into a missed shot and had a chance to tie or take the lead with 20 seconds to go.

Unfortunately, Perdomo's three-pointer missed the mark and Sarah Lawrence collected the rebound. The guests then sank clutch free throws late to seal the hard-earned victory, 79-73.

Unsurprisingly, stats between the two teams was nearly identical across the board. Field goal percentage, rebounds, turnovers and second-chance points were virtually even. 

Three-point shooting was one category that favored the guests though, as they went 8-for-24 and Purchase managed just 4-for-24. Sarah Lawrence also won the points-off turnovers battle, 24-13, while the Panthers dominated fast-break points, 28-16, and points in the paint, 40-30.

Individually, the Panthers were powered by Perdomo, who scored a team-high 21 points and Maxx Miller (SR/White Plains, NY), who finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds and four assists. 

Harris scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Panthers, while Andre Peguero (JR/Boynton Beach, FL) collected 14 rebounds in the loss.

For Sarah Lawrence, Jamaleddine led everyone with 29 points and 15 rebounds, while three other players finished in double figures.

Up next for Purchase is a Skyline Conference road matchup with down-the-street rival, Manhattanville College, on January 14th. That game is set to begin at 7 p.m. and you can follow it here.