BRONXVILLE, N.Y. - Rookie Omar Jamaleddine hit the go-ahead jumper with 0.8 seconds left in regulation to help the Sarah Lawrence men's basketball team defeat Purchase, 79-77, on Saturday at Campbell Sports Center. It was the Gryphons' fourth straight victory, as Sarah Lawrence improves to 11-7 overall and 9-4 in Skyline play.

IN SHORT
Sarah Lawrence (11-7, 9-4) def. Purchase (8-8, 6-6), 79-77

TOP GRYPHON PERFORMERS
Jamaleddine posted his fourth double-double of the year, recording 21 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.

Enike Anyia had a strong performance, finishing with a game-high 27 points (9-15 FG), while grabbing four rebounds.

BJ Sanders contributed 11 points and six boards, while Austin Jones added nine points (3-3 FG), six rebounds and a season-high eight assists.

Andrew Varoli recorded seven points, while Kaleb Robinson and Gabriel Eng notched a field goal in the win.

RECAP
Jamaleddine's game-winning basket capped off an exciting second half of play that featured four ties and six lead changes. It was victory No. 11 for Sarah Lawrence, setting a program record for wins in a season. The squad has won its last four contests, now the longest winning streak in team history.

The Gryphons got off to a strong start in the first half, building up a 26-16 lead with 7:22 remaining in the half, their largest of the game. Sarah Lawrence maintained its advantage for the remainder of the stanza, but Purchase chipped away at the margin, going into the break with a score of 38-36.

The two teams traded baskets in the second half, with Purchase tying the game 46-46 with 15:22 remaining in regulation. Sarah Lawrence regained its lead with a 9-0 spurt to hold a 55-46 advantage with 14:09 remaining.

Purchase did not go away, seizing momentum with a 14-2 run over 6:01 to take a 60-57 lead with 8:08 left to play. 

Later in the half, with the Panthers clinging on to a 73-70 lead with 2:23 on the clock, Anyia took matters into his own hands, scoring five straight points, including a 3-pointer from the top of the key, to give the Gryphons a 75-73 edge with 1:01 to play.

Purchase hit a pair of free throws to tie the game, but Sanders hit a pair from the charity stripe to put Sarah Lawrence back in front, 77-75, with 20 seconds remaining. The Panthers got back to the line with 10 seconds left, knocking down both attempts to knot the game, 77-77, in the final moments.

Following a Sarah Lawrence timeout, the ball was inbounded to Jamaleddine, who took time off the clock before driving into the paint and lifting up over a pair of Purchase defenders to hit the game-winning basket.

It was conference win No. 9 for the Gryphons, as they move a step closer to securing a spot in the Skyline Men's Basketball Tournament for the first time in school history.

UP NEXT
Sarah Lawrence looks to make it five in-a-row on Wednesday (Jan. 23) at Merchant Marine.