PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College men's basketball team secured an impressive Senior Day Wednesday night, besting Mount Saint Mary College by the score of 85-71.
With the victory, the Panthers moved to 13-11 overall and 9-6 in the Skyline Conference. For the Knights, they dropped to 3-21 and 2-13, respectively.
The win also locked the Blue and Orange into the No.6 seed in the upcoming playoffs, as they will take on either Sarah Lawrence College or Yeshiva University in the first round.
Before the contest began, the night of festivities kicked off with a pregame ceremony honoring the team's trio of seniors -
Chad Duke (Brooklyn, NY),
Wesley Fulcher (Fishkill, NY) and
Matthew Phillips (Bronx, NY).
Words prepared by head coach
Jack Dignan were read, as the team gave gifts and posed for photos with family, friends and teammates.
Following the ceremony, the squad quickly shifted into game mode as the task at hand was important. With a win, they could secure their seeding in the Skyline Tourney.
While Mount Saint Mary College was up for the battle, the Panthers weren't going to be denied on the night.
As a result, the hosts led the entire way, with the only tie score coming at 3-3. In the first half, Purchase grew its lead to as many as 20 points and led at halftime, 40-20.
After the break, the Blue and Orange continued to maintain a sizable margin, including increasing it to as many 23 points over the final 20 minutes.
In the end, they settled for the 14-point advantage and cruised into the final game of the regular season this weekend.
On the night, the hosts shot 47.5% from the field compared to 42.6% for the guests, and easily won the rebounding battle, 42-26.
Individually,
Gabe Bristow (JR/Poughkeepsie, NY) paced all players with a game-high 23 points after nailing seven 3-pointers.
Fulcher and Duke each added 10 points apiece in the win, while Phillips chipped in seven points and a block.
Up next for the Panthers is the regular season finale, as they travel to Mount Saint Vincent on February 22nd at noon.
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