Chris Beauchamp scored 25 points and Jason Berliner came off the bench to score a career-high 14 points to lead the Baruch College Bearcats to an 80-68 non-conference home win over the State University of New York at Purchase on Saturday afternoon in the ARC Arena.

The Bearcats started the game on fire by connecting on 10 of their first 12 three-point attempts as part of a first half that saw them shooting 56.7 percent (17-30) to build a 46-37 halftime lead.

The visiting Panthers also shot the ball well in the first half by shooting 55.2 percent (16-29), but struggled from three-point range at only 14.3 percent (1-7) to enable the Bearcats to build a nine point halftime advantage.

During the second half, both teams shot poorly, but the Bearcats were able to consistently hold a double-digit lead with solid defense.

The Panthers were able late to cut the score to 72-66 with 4:12 remaining, but the Bearcats responded with a layup by Beauchamp followed by two free throws and a layup by Nate Young to pull out the victory against their opponent from the Skyline Conference.    

Berliner scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half to also finish shooting a career-best 6-of-7 from the field. Beauchamp scored his 25 points by connecting on 5-of-10 from three-point range and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Young totaled 12 points and five assists.

Mickey Abbatiello had a solid all-around game with nine points, five assists and two steals.

Justin Person led Purchase, the 2010-11 Skyline Conference Champions, with 17 points and six rebounds.  

The men's basketball team will return to action on Monday, December 12, with a 7:00 pm non-conference home contest against Rutgers-Camden from the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).