KINGS POINT, NY - The Purchase College men's basketball team suffered a defeat at United States Merchant Marine Academy Tuesday night, falling by the score of 75-65 in a Skyline Conference bout. 

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 16-8 overall and 11-4 in the conference. Entering the contest, Purchase was already locked into the No. 2 seed in the Skyline Conference Championships, which begin next Tuesday. 

As for the Mariners of USMMA, the win kept their playoff hopes alive, as they now sit at 9-15 and 5-10 respectively. With the knowledge that a win was needed on the night, the hosts came out firing.

After trailing 6-2 during the opening minutes, the Mariners responded by outscoring Purchase, 17-2, over a six-minute span to grab firm control. From that point on, the hosts led the rest of the first half, pushing their advantage to as many as 17 points. 

At the break, Purchase trailed 41-27 after shooting just 33.3% from the field in the opening frame.

In the second half, Purchase managed to slowly but surely cut into the USMMA lead, getting it down to six points with 90 seconds to go. However, the Panthers eventually just ran out of time as the hosts escaped with the win. 

On the night, it was a tale of two halves for the Panthers. After struggling in the first, Purchase answered back by shooting 53.3% in the second frame. However, 3-point shooting crushed them in the loss, as the team went 4-for-23 from long range. 

On the other side, the hosts shot 55.6% from the field en route to the win. 

Individually, Maxx Miller (SR/White Plains, NY) led all players with 23 points. He finished 8-for-11 from the field and grabbed six rebounds. The only other Panther to tally double figures was Elijah Lott (SR/Albany, NY), who recorded 17 points, four assists and four steals.

For USMMA, four players finished in double-digits. 

Up next for the Panthers is the regular season finale, which will be at home against Mount Saint Mary College. The contest is set for February 22nd at noon and will serve as the Senior Day celebration for the squad. 

Lott, Miller, Elijah Harris (SR/Flushing, NY) and Brian Hardy (SR/New York, NY) will be honored pregame. You can follow the ceremony and game right here.