PURCHASE, NY - Elijah Lott, Jorge Perdomo and Jorden Means combined for 70 points Thursday night, as the Purchase College men's basketball team topped United States Merchant Marine Academy, 87-69, in a Skyline Conference matchup. 

With the result, the Panthers sit at 8-5 overall and 3-1 in the Skyline. As for the Mariners of USMMA, the loss dropped the squad to 5-9 and 1-4 respectively. 

Despite the huge days from Lott (SR/Albany, NY), Perdomo (JR/Bronx, NY) and Means (FR/New York, NY), Purchase actually started the game off slowly. During the opening 13 minutes of the game, the lead changed seven times, while neither side led by more than four points.

However, that changed over the final minutes of the opening half, as the Panthers' skill started to take over. Purchase outscored USMMA, 17-10, during the last seven minutes to take a 40-33 advantage into the halftime break. 

Following the 15-minute intermission, the Panthers came out on fire. Over an eight-minute span, the hosts outscored the Mariners, 22-9, to extend their lead to 20 points at 62-42. 

The Panthers cruised from there, leading by as many as 24 points before settling for an 87-69 win.

Lott continued to be the best player on the court Thursday, as he finished with 29 points, eight assists, seven steals and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Perdomo added 23 points and nailed five three pointers, while Means chipped in a career-high 18 points and went 10-for-10 from the foul line.

As a team, the Panthers shot 52.5% from the field, 41.7% from three-point range and 94.1% from the free throw line. Purchase also won the turnover battle, 13 to 20, and in the process made the guests pay for their mistakes. The hosts dominated the Mariners in points-off turnovers, winning the category, 33-7.  

Meanwhile, Merchant Marine finished 48.3% from the field, but struggled in the second half, shooting just 42%. The Mariners were led by Blaine McDonough (SO/Marietta, GA), who finished with 14 points in the loss.

Up next for Purchase is road matchup with Mount Saint Mary College this Saturday (1/18) at 1 p.m. You can follow that contest right here.