PURCHASE, N.Y. - After not playing a game since February 22, 2020, the Purchase College women's basketball team returned to the court Saturday afternoon and provided one of the most exciting contests in recent memory.

Ultimately, the battle ended in defeat for the Panthers, as the Cannoneers of Pratt Institute prevailed by the score of 58-53. But even with the result, it was still quite exciting to welcome back basketball to the PC Gym for the first time in nearly 21 months. 

As for the action on the court, the game started off decisively in favor of the guests, before a furious comeback by the Panthers changed everything.

During the opening quarter, the Cannoneers jumped out to an 11-point lead before settling for an 18-8 advantage after ten minutes.

The guests continued to build on that margin in the second frame, eventually establishing an 14-point lead at the halftime break, 34-20.

Following the break, Pratt pushed its lead to as many as 17 points in the third quarter, before the Panthers started to slowly but surely chip into the deficit. By the end of the 10-minute period, the lead was just 10 points, 47-37.

That lead shrank even more in the fourth frame, when Kasia Morrison (SO/Bronx, NY) scored eight-straight points, including two 3-pointers, to cut the margin to just two points, 49-47, with 6:24 remaining.

From there, Shadai Plowden (SR/Yonkers, NY) tied things up for the first time all game via a jumper, before a basket the other way pushed the guests ahead once more. However, the Panthers' fight continued.

On their next trip down the court, the hosts collected their first lead since early in the first quarter, when Alyssa Aurora (SR/Ossining, NY) nailed a go-ahead 3-pointer, making it 52-51 with 4:42 left. 

The score remained unchanged over the next two minutes until a Reina Lebron (JR/Queens, NY) free throw with 2:48 remaining gave Purchase its biggest lead of the day at 53-51.

From there though, Pratt regained its early-game form, especially on defense. Over the final 2:30, the guests embarked on a 7-0 scoring run, during which they limited the hosts to six-straight missed shots and two turnovers.

As a result, the Cannoneers edged out the win by the score of 58-53, Despite the loss, the Panthers left the court knowing that their season was just getting started and that they have major fight in them.

The performance by the Panthers was even more impressive when you consider the major discrepancy in rebounds between the two squads. On the boards, Pratt outpaced Purchase by more than double, winning the battle 69-33 overall and 32-10 on offensive rebounds.

As a result, Pratt cruised to a 28-4 margin in second-chance points. However, what the Panthers lacked in size, they made up for in speed, as they bested the guests in fast-break points, 14-1. 

Individually, Aurora led Purchase with 14 points, after going 4-for-5 from 3-point range. Morrison finished with 12 points, while Plowden and Miya Ritchie (SR/Harlem, NY) each added 10 points in the defeat. 

For Pratt, Katy O'Connor (GR/Southampton, MA) powered the win with 28 points and 28 rebounds and the team now sits at 1-1 on the year.

Up next for the Panthers is the Skyline Conference season opener, as they host Mount Saint Mary College on November 16th at 7:00 p.m. You can follow along live right here.