ARLINGTON, N.Y. - The Purchase College men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a tough result Friday night, falling at the buzzer to Haverford College by the score of 63-61.

With 2.3 seconds remaining and the game tied at 61-all, the Fords of Haverford inbounded the ball underneath their basket to Gabriel Franklin, who launched up a turnaround, fadeaway shot as the horn sounded.

The ball then swished through the net, where he was promptly mobbed by teammates on the court.

For the Panthers, they were left with a bitter taste in their mouths, as they dropped a contest they could have won.

To begin the night, the affair was quite lopsided as Purchase raced out to an early lead. Just four minutes in, the Panthers led by double-digits, pushing it to as many a 19 points (29-10) midway through the opening half.

At that point, it seemed liked the Blue and Orange were going to breeze to a season-opening win. However, Haverford had other ideas.

Over the final 10 minutes of the period, the Fords completley flipped the script, cutting the massive margin to just two points at the midway break, 33-31.

When play resumed, Purchase remained in the driver's seat, extending the second-half lead to as many as nine points.

But the Fords weren't going away on the night.

Finally, with just 45 seconds to go, they regained the lead for the first time since the opening minute off a pair of free throws to make 61-59.

On the ensuing trip down the court, Purchase tied the contest with free throws of its own, leaving the final chance to Haverford.

The Panther defense stood tall over the final possession, knocking the ball out of play once, before a fantastic block from Rashid Nikiema (SO/Winooski, VT) kept things level with just two seconds remaining.

But ultimately, there was no defense for miracle shots.

On the night, Matthew Phillips (JR/Bronx, NY) paced the Blue and Orange with a team-high 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Nikiema chipped in nine points, while newcomers Mahamadou Nimaga (SR/Bronx, NY) and Chad Duke (JR/Brooklyn, NY) each tallied seven points and five rebounds.

Up next for the Panthers is the consolation game of the Vassar College Tournament, as they are back in action tomorrow (November 11) at 2 p.m. against Gallaudet University.