BRONXVILLE, N.Y. - The Sarah Lawrence men's basketball team used a 22-6 run towards the middle of the second half to start 2025 with a nine-point victory over Purchase College. The Gryphons used a trio of double-digit scorers and a strong performance from the free-throw line to seal the victory over the Panthers.

Notable Performers

• Braden Burman led the team in scoring with 19 points, connecting on 50% of his triples and all four of his attempts from the free-throw line
• Andrew Kim added 17 points, shooting six-for-seven from the field and two-for-two from deep
• Eamon Kelly notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass
• Chris Dougherty blocked three shots while scoring six points and pulling down nine rebounds in the victory

How it Happened

The start of the game was a story of three-pointers as the first nine minutes of play saw seven triples made and just one two-point field goal, a second-minute layup by Kim. After the long-range barrage, the Gryphons held a five-point lead, but with just over ten minutes to play in the half, Purchase's Trey Skeete took a defensive rebound coast-to-coast to make it a one-possession game. Another triple by Purchase tied the contest with just over eight minutes to play before Dean Furlong scored to return the lead to the hosts. The back-and-forth contest continued throughout the remainder of the half until an 11-0 run by the Panthers gave them a 28-21 advantage with just under two minutes to play. A score by Burman in the paint and an immediate response by Purchase's Chad Duke would send the visitors into the half with a seven-point advantage, leading 30-27.

The second half was very much a story of scoring runs, with the teams trading points and the Panthers connecting once again from deep to open up a double-digit lead. On the ensuing SLC possession, Dougherty would find Burman open for a triple that would kickstart the aforementioned 22-6 run that would bring the Gryphons back in front. Throughout the run, Kim would score seven of his 17 points while Kelly scored five straight to tie the game and give the Gryphons a four-point advantage. The team would hold that advantage through the final buzzer, despite the Panthers cutting the lead to two points with 10 minutes remaining. Lemar Fumore Jr. was a key contributor down the stretch for SLC, connecting on seven of his eight shots from the free-throw line and grabbing the offensive rebound on his own make, later assisting Kelly on a triple in that same possession. Thanks to Fulmore Jr.'s consistency at the line and late scores from the trio of Kelly, Dougherty and Kim, the Gryphons built up a double-digit lead that only dwindled in the final minute and, fittingly, a pair of free throws by Fulmore Jr. sealed the win with 16 seconds left.

Up Next

The Gryphons (6-5, Skyline 2-0) will return to action on Wednesday, January 8th as they head into New York City for a matchup with the Maccabees of Yeshiva University at 8:00 p.m. The Gryphons split the season series with YU last season, including a triumphant home victory late in the season that helped propel the Gryphons into the Skyline Semifinal.