PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College men's basketball team earned its signature win of the season Saturday afternoon, beating the top-ranked team in the Skyline Conference, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 66-59.

The Panthers entered the contest missing four starters, including three of their top scorers, yet they didn't miss a beat. In total, the hosts led for over 34 minutes, as they controlled the pace early and hindered the Mariners throughout.

In the opening half, the two sides traded baskets to begin, before Purchase (8-13 overall, 3-9 Skyline) took the lead via an Elijah Holmes' (SO/Brooklyn, NY) layup, 8-7, with 15:29 remaining.

From there, the hosts held the lead into the break, 32-29.

Following halftime, the Panthers continued to pace play until a three-point play by USMMA (11-10, 9-3) pushed the guests ahead, 42-39, with 14:52 left.

However, Purchase wasn't going to be denied on the day and responded with an 11-0 run to flip the advantage back in its favor, 50-42, with a little of 11 minutes to play.

Shortly afterwards, the hosts extended their lead to its biggest margin of the day at 10 points, 55-45, before the guests attempted one final rally. 

The run nearly worked, as the Mariners cut the deficit to just two points on two separate occasions during the final four minutes.

But in the end, the Panthers managed to hang tough on both sides of the ball to secure the crucial victory.

Purchase finished with its second-best shooting percentage of the year, converting 47.7% of its overall field goals and 40% on 3-pointers.

The Mariners came nowhere near those totals, putting up 33.3% and 21.4%, respectively. The poor shooting can be attributed to the Panthers' hustle and work on defense, which forced the guests into contested or low-percentage shots all game long.

Individually, Isaac Johnson (JR/Bronx, NY) led all players with a career-high 23 points as he played all 40 minutes. It was Johnson's second-straight game in which he set a new career-high in points.

Also adding to the win was Holmes with 11 points and three assists, and Terrence Mason (JR/Greenburgh, NY), who chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds.

Jalen Bartley (JR/Tarrytown, NY), making his first-ever start for the Panthers, recorded a team-high 10 rebounds and made countless hustle plays to help secure the win.

Up next for the Blue and Orange is a trip north to face Mount Saint Mary College. That game is set for February 8th at 8 p.m.