PATCHOGUE, N.Y. - The Purchase College men's basketball team was outlasted by St. Joseph's University-Long Island Saturday afternoon, dropping the Skyline Conference matchup by the score of 68-67.

With the result, the Panthers moved to 9-10 overall and 5-5 in the league. For the Golden Eagles, they jumped to 7-12 and 6-4, respectively.

Despite the close final score, the Blue and Orange actually never led on the day.

Twice in the first half, they managed a tie score, but they never held the advantage in the contest.

Regardless, the Panthers battled all game, including a 12-point margin at a halftime and a game-high deficit of 16 points early in the second half.

Slowly but surely, the guests trimmed the lead to single digits and then to a one-possession game.

Over the final 2:37 of play, the lead slimmed to three, and then two, and finally one point, before the hosts were eventually bailed out by the final horn sounding.

Overall, the Golden Eagles enjoyed significantly better shooting percentages, while the Panthers kept things close thanks to a +7 turnover margin.

Individually, Gabe Bristow (JR/Poughkeepsie, NY) led all players with 19 points and five steals.

Wesley Fulcher (SR/Fishkill, NY) chipped in 13 points, while Desmond Ward (JR/Queens, NY) totaled 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Up next for Purchase is a return to its home court, as the squad welcomes USMMA on February 5th at 7 p.m.