KINGS POINT, N.Y. - The Purchase College women's basketball team was defeated by the United States Merchant Marine Academy Saturday afternoon, falling by the score of 71-39.

With the Skyline Conference loss, the Panthers are now 2-20 overall and 2-17 in the league. As for the Mariners, they improved to 19-5 and 15-4, respectively.

Kasia Morrison (SO/Bronx, NY) paced Purchase with a game-high 18 points, while Miya Ritchie (SR/Harlem, NY) added 10 points in the effort.

For USMMA, it was a balanced team-win, as 10 Mariners scored but no one had more than 12 points.

To begin, the two sides enjoyed some back and forth action. The Panthers eventually took an 11-8 lead with under four minutes to go in the quarter, only to see the hosts finish the frame with an 8-0 run and retake the advantage, 16-11. 

That margin ballooned in the second quarter, after the Mariners outscored Purchase, 20-6, during the 10-minute frame to lead 36-17 at the halftime break. 

In the second half, Merchant Marine outpaced the guests in the third and fourth quarters, as Purchase never got closer than 16 points the rest of the way.

Up next for women's basketball is the team's final home game of the season, as they welcome Brooklyn College to campus on February 17th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the team will honor it's seniors beforehand for Senior Night. You can follow along right here.