PURCHASE, N.Y. - Despite a furious second half comeback, the Sarah Lawrence men's basketball team suffered its first conference loss of the year Saturday, falling to Purchase, 85-79, at Purchase Gymnasium.
IN SHORT
Purchase (4-2, 2-0) def. Sarah Lawrence (4-4, 3-1), 85-79.
TOP GRYPHON PERFORMERS
Four players finished in double figures for the Gryphons. BJ Sanders notched his second double-double of the season, recording a team-high 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Andrew Varoli scored 15 points, while Enike Anyia added 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocks. Omar Jamaleddine finished with 12 points, six rebounds and four steals in the loss.
Overall, all 10 Gryphons that played in the game recorded at least one made field goal, including Jelani Jackson, who scored his first collegiate points in the second half.
RECAP
Sarah Lawrence, off to its best start in league play in team history, battled throughout the contest against a Purchase squad that was picked to finish third in the Skyline Preseason Poll, following an appearance in the championship game last season.
The Gryphons raced out to a 9-4 lead with 16:08 on the clock, fueled by seven points from Sanders. Purchase countered with a 7-2 spurt to tie the contest 11-11 with 14:47 remaining in the half.
Later in the period, Sarah Lawrence took a 20-19 lead with 10:13 to play, following a three-point play from Anyia.
The Panthers, who entered the day winners of three in a row, went on an 11-0 run over 2:04 to open up a 30-20 lead. Purchase led by as much as 13 in the opening period and went into halftime with a 44-33 advantage.
The Panthers had it going offensively to begin the second half, opening up a 21-point lead (59-38) with 14:49 remaining in regulation.
Sarah Lawrence did not quit, chipping away at the deficit, shrinking the margin to four (72-68) with 5:00 remaining in the game, outscoring Purchase 30-13. The Gryphons were unable to get any closer, as the Panthers hit free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
UP NEXT
Sarah Lawrence begins a three-game home stand on Tuesday (Dec. 4), hosting Mount Saint Vincent at Campbell Sports Center at 8 p.m.
