http://www.purchasecollegeathletics.com/news/2013/12/7/MBB_1207135655.aspx?path=mbball
*** ALSO SEE - Coach Charney Wins his 100th: http://www.purchasecollegeathletics.com/news/2013/11/26/MBB_1126130911.aspx?path=mbball
Purchase, NY (Dec. 7, 2013) – Two unbeaten teams. Two conference rivals.
One great finish in a rematch of last year's Skyline Conference Championship game.
No. 25 Purchase hosted Farmingdale State Saturday, and after a tightly contested opening half, skated to a 77-57 drumming of the Rams to improve to 7-0 overall and 2-0 in league play. Playing in their conference home opener, the Panthers went into the half up 37-31, but opened things up over the final 20 minutes, led by four double-figure scorers, and head coach Jeff Charney's swarming match-up zone defense.
The Rams, which also entered undefeated, dropped to 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. In defeat, FSC was paced by point guard Jonathan Annan, who netted 25 points. He was the lone scorer in double digits for the visitors – the result of Purchase's constant defensive pressure.
The Panthers were led offensively by Andre Nixon (SR/Harlem, NY). The shooting guard finished with a team-high 19 points (5 of 18). Forward Justin Person (JR/Greenburgh, NY) added 14 points, while guards Ryan Lobban (SR/Bronx, NY) and Franklyn Mickens (FR/Glen Cove, NY) chipped in 13 points apiece. Lobban recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Person narrowly missed the distinction with nine boards as the two played extremely well in the rout.
Purchase raced out to a quick 4-0 margin, but FSC responded quickly, trading hoops with the nationally- ranked Panthers. The score would be tied 6-6 in a rematch of last winter's conference title game, and slowly the offenses started to emerge following an early defensive struggle in the battle of unbeatens.
The Rams would take their first lead of the half just under eight minutes. With Purchase trailing, 17-16, the backcourt went to work with young, up-and-comer Mickens connecting on a 3-pointer to boost the hosts, 20-18.
The Mickens basket ignited Purchase and sent the "Pink Panther" cheerleaders and the crowd into a frenzy. With positive energy filling the stands, that's when Nixon exploded for eight straight points. In a span of two minutes and three possessions, Nixon struck for two 3s, the second of which came at 4:15 and gave Purchase a 26-20 lead.
Key reserve Creig Graves (SO/Harlem, NY) added another highlight 3-pointer with less a minute to go, and Person capped the half with a 2-pointer that gave the Panthers a 37-31 lead at intermission.
FSC was paced by playmaker Annan in the opening period. He scored 12 of the team's 31 points. Nixon was equally impressive, scoring 13 of Purchase's 37. Mickens followed with five first-half points. The Panthers also did some impressive work inside, with several standouts, including captain David Haughton (SR/Greenburgh, NY)throwing down highlight jams over the first 20 minutes to set the tone.
Lobban got Purchase started in the second half, scoring consecutive baskets early before FSC's Annan ran off a spurt of baskets that cut the deficit for the visitors to 47-44. In between, Troy Singleton (JR/Queens, NY) and Haughton kept pace for the Panthers, with Singleton hitting a 3-pointer and Haughton adding another dunk to his reel for the night.
Annan and the Rams would cut it to 49-47 and shortly later tied it at 49-49 on free throws before the Panthers took control of the game in the second half. A Mickens two-pointer, followed by a thunderous Person jam and another key Mickens hoop – this time a 3 – extended the lead to 60-51. Person stretched that lead to 10 (63-53) and Lobban made it 65-53 as the Panthers went on a torrid run en route to the 20-point win.
In the end, Purchase dominated nearly all aspects of the game. The Panthers won the turnover margin (10-17), recorded a game-high 10 steals and outrebounded the Rams, 44-39.
The surging Panthers will now return to action Tuesday at Yeshiva University.
-Bobby Ciafardini, SID