PURCHASE, N.Y. – A 16-3 run that bridged the first and second quarters broke open a close game and the Johnson and Wales women's basketball team went on to defeat Purchase College, 74-42, in non-conference action on Monday afternoon.

Purchase (0-10) was first to light up the board following a Jessica McHugh (FR/Ellenville, NY) jumper on the team's opening possession. Johnson and Wales (5-6) answered back with a 3-0 run to take the lead but the host Panthers followed with seven consecutive points to jump back in front, 9-3. McHugh connected on a pair inside the paint for four points, while Aysiah Clinton (FR/Portland, OR) netted a triple from beyond the arc off the steal and assist from Halle Greaige (FR/).

The visitors chipped away at Purchase's six-point lead over the next several minutes, eventually pushing ahead (12-11) on a pair of made free throws by Wildcat rookie Alexa Lora. 

JWU tallied another eight unanswered points to close the first quarter with a 20-11 advantage. 

The Wildcats held a 13-11 edge over Purchase over the next 10 minutes, leading 33-22 at the half. 

The Panther offense was limited to just eight points in the third quarter, while JWU erupted with 21 points to stretch its advantage to 54-30. 

The visitors carried the comfortable lead through the final 10 minutes, closing the game with their best shooting performance of the afternoon (53 percent, 9-of-17).

Senior Wildcat Peyton Oliver led all scorers with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Mikayla Caruso and Maiyah Johnson also produced double-digit scoring for JWU, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and 10 points, six rebounds, respectively. 

For Purchase, sophomore Charlee Neb (Longmont, CO) recorded another notable performance in the books. Despite the loss, Neb connected for a team-best 15 points and grabbed four rebounds and a pair of steals. McHugh, Clinton and Kendall Larsen (FR/Staten Island, NY) notched six points apiece, while McHugh and Greaige led the team's board count with five each.  

Monday's game capped the Panthers' 2023 slate. The team will return to action in the new year  with a home game against Skyline Conference foe Sarah Lawrence College on Jan. 6 at 2 p.m.

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