PURCHASE, N.Y. - After knocking on the door numerous times during the 2023-24 season, the Purchase College women's basketball team finally busted it down Thursday night, achieving their first win of the year in thrilling fashion, 68-65.

The win over St. Joseph's University-Brooklyn was propelled by a quick start. After the guests scored the first basket of the game, the Blue and Orange responded with a 3-pointer from Carlye Graff (JR/Nyack, NY) and never looked back.

Following the opening 10 minutes, the hosts led, 19-15, before jumping ahead by as many as eight points in the second quarter. At halftime, Purchase enjoyed a five-point margin, 36-31.

Once the game resumed, the Panthers maintained the lead as it grew to its biggest of the night, nine points (52-43), with under four minutes remaining in the quarter.

Despite the deficit, the Bears of St. Joseph's kept pace, trimming the margin to just four as we entered the final period.

Less than two minutes into the fourth, the two sides were tied at 55-all as the tension grew.

However, there would be no letdown from Purchase as the squad quickly regrouped to regain the lead.

While St. Joseph's cut the deficit to just two points on three separate occasions over the remainder of the game, the Panthers held firm and emerged victorious for the first time since 2022.

The Blue and Orange enjoyed one of its best shooting performances of the season, finishing 40% from the field and 30.8% from long distance. 

The Panthers also dominated on rebounds and bench points, as a huge discrepancy in turnovers kept the contest close. For the Bears, they totaled percentages of 36.4% and 22.2%, respectively. 

Individually, Graff led the way with a career-high 15 points, as she nailed five 3-pointers.

Jessica McHugh (FY/Ellenville, NY) was massive on the night, totaling 13 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks, while Aysiah Clinton (FY/Portland, OR) added 11 points and six rebounds.

With the result, the Panthers moved to 1-13 overall and 1-10 in the Skyline Conference. For the Bears, they dropped to 2-13 and 1-9, respectively.

The win was Purchase's first against St. Joseph's-Brooklyn since February 19, 2019, when the Blue and Orange topped the squad in the First Round of the Skyline Conference Playoffs.

Additionally, the victory was the first in head coach Stephen Bower's career.

Up next for Purchase is the first of five-straight road games, as it travels to Farmingdale State College on January 20th at noon.