PURCHASE, N.Y. – Despite leading 40-29 at halftime, the Purchase College men's basketball team was unable to overcome a dominant defensive second half by the visitors in a 75-72 Skyline Conference loss to St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) Thursday night.

Purchase (4-14, 4-6 Skyline) connected on 15-of-35 (42.9%) in the opening 20 minutes. Jordan Knochen (SR/Maybrook, NY) netted a 3-pointer to give Purchase a 5-4 lead—one which the Panthers would carry through the break.

Both teams exchanged baskets to open the second half, but the hosts went cold midway through. SJC (3-16, 2-9 Skyline) chipped away at the double-digit deficit with a 16-6 run to tie the game at 61-61.  

The lead would exchange hands two more times before the visiting Bears netted a perfect 5-for-5 at the charity stripe to secure the comeback victory.

Purchase was led by Justin Mason (FR/Staten Island), who finished with 23 points, seven steals and four rebounds. Malcolm Hansford-Whyte chipped in with 11 points, five boards and four assists, while Eric Block (SR/Warwick, NY) and Mark Morgan (FR/Bronx, NY) tallied nine points apiece.

Chris Mikos paced the SJC squad and led all scorers with a notable 37 points and 10 boards. Joe Sheehan also recorded a double-double night with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, while Evan Sirakis totaled 14 points and a team-best four assists.

Purchase returns to its home court on Saturday (Feb. 5) at noon for a Skyline matchup against the neighboring Valiants of Manhattanville College.