PURCHASE, N.Y. – Sarah Lawrence overcame a seven-point deficit in the final 90 seconds of regulation to force overtime, using the extra period to defeat Purchase, 79-73, on Saturday at Purchase College Gymnasium.

IN SHORT
Sarah Lawrence (5-7, 1-2) def. Purchase (6-5, 1-1), 79-73 (OT).

TOP GRYPHON PERFORMERS
Omar Jamaleddine posted his third consecutive double-double, recording game-highs in points (29) and rebounds (15). Enike Anyia posted his own double-double performance of 13 points and a season-high 12 rebounds.

Chris Torres contributed 14 points, highlighted by four 3-pointers, while BJ Sanders chipped in 11 points and six rebounds in the victory.

RECAP
Sarah Lawrence turned in a gritty performance, snapping a five-game losing skid while earning its first-ever road win over the Panthers.

Purchase thought they sealed the contest with a layup with 1:17 to play in the second half, as the home team took a 68-61 lead.

Sarah Lawrence battled back, scoring seven straight points to force an additional period of play. Jamaleddine finished at the rim to make it a five-point game (68-63) with 58 seconds remaining. Following a timeout, the Gryphons forced a turnover, leading to a 3-pointer from Torres to make it a one possession game (68-66) with 43 seconds on the clock. Following a timeout from Purchase, Jamaleddine forced the Panthers into another turnover, being fouled on the way to the basket and knocking down both free throws to tie the game with 30 seconds to play. Purchase had one final look to end regulation but was unable to connect, sending the game to overtime.

In the overtime period, tied at 70, the Gryphons created separation with five straight points, capped off by a monster dunk from Sanders to make it, 75-70, with 1:30 to play. The Panthers made it a one possession game with a 3-pointer with 48 seconds remaining, but free throws down the stretch from Anyia and Jamaleddine secured the squad's first league win of the year and first victory of 2020.

The game featured 24 ties and 36 lead changes. Sarah Lawrence did an excellent job capitalizing on miscues by the Panthers, converting 16 turnovers into 24 points. The Gryphons were also clutch from the line, shooting a season-best 90-percent from the charity stripe.  

UP NEXT
Sarah Lawrence is back on the court Tuesday (Jan. 14) for a road game at Maritime.