Purchase, NY (Jan. 15, 2015) – The Purchase College men's basketball team is now 3-3 in the Skyline Conference following Thursday night's league victory over SUNY Maritime.

The Panthers topped the Privateers, 67-49.

Leading 29-14 at the half, Purchase came out and fended off an improved effort by the visitors offensively, but managed to maintain the 15-point margin for the first seven to eight minutes of the period, despite some hot shooting from Maritime. The Privateers nearly doubled their percentage from the field (36.8) in the second half.

But the strong start, coupled with some highlights in the second half helped the Panthers coast to their second straight victory of 2015 and a now .500 league record.

Maritime came as close as 10 points midway through the second half, but some timely shots from guard Troy Singleton (JR/Queens, NY) protected and stretched the lead back. A deep three from the wing from Singleton keyed the 20-plus cushion. He would finish with a game-high 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, including two 3-pointers.   

The Panthers never looked back, holding a slight edge in rebounds (45-41) and turnovers (13-16) on a night when defense starred for the most part. Each team totaled 10 steals apiece in a low-scoring affair.

Purchase (3-10, 3-3 Skyline) opened with a 4-0 lead in the first half, which expanded to 6-3 inside the first five minutes. The Panthers slowly increased that margin to 11-7 around the 10-minute marker before Maritime got back into the game. A 3-pointer by Maritime's Brendon Halligan closed the gap to 11-10 on a night when the Privateers shot 20-percent in the first half – a factor that was twofold, with Maritime struggling offensively and Purchase playing well defensively.

The Purchase lead jumped back to six on a steal and basket by Singleton. The electric play ignited another run for the Panthers, which opened a 24-12 advantage, highlighted by a steal and hoop from Justin Person (SR/Greenburgh, NY). The Panthers put the finishing touches on the halftime lead (29-14) with another two-pointer from Person and a 3-pointer at the buzzer, courtesy of Creig Graves (JR/Harlem, NY). 

Center Kendall Felix (SR/Brooklyn, NY) led the charge in the opening period, scoring eight points. He was followed by Graves and Person, who each scored seven apiece.

Person paced the Panthers defensively with six steals. He was also one of two to record a double-double, joining Felix, who finished with 10 points and 11 boards. Graves added 15 points, including three 3s, while teammate Taylor Foster (JR/Greenburgh, NY) returned from injury and contributed 10 points and five rebounds off the bench. Foster was a perfect 6 of 6 from the charity stripe.

The loss dropped Maritime to 3-9 overall and 1-4 in conference play. The Privateers were led by Isaiah Hayes (15 points) and Halligan (11). Hayes and Halligan were responsible for bringing Maritime back within 10 in the second half as its spurt was marked by a 3 from Halligan and a dunk from Hayes, which momentarily sparked the visitors until the Panthers got back on track and were ignited by the long-rang shooting of Singleton and Graves. 

The Panthers, riding a mini win streak, return to action Saturday at Farmingdale State.