SJC Pounces on Panthers Late in Second Half for Skyline "W"

Patchogue, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's men's basketball team (7-5, 4-1 SKY) hurdled past the Purchase Panthers (1-10, 1-3 SKY) in a Skyline Conference game, attaining a 77-66 victory on Tuesday night at the Danzi Center. The Golden Eagles were led by senior forward Sean McCarthy (Kings Park, N.Y. / Kings Park) who tallied a near double-double, scoring 23 points along with rebounding nine missed shots.

Baskets fell early for St. Joseph's, who opened up the game with an 8-2 run over the Panthers. Following the Golden Eagles run, Purchase would hit a free throw, three-pointer and field goal to cut the lead to two points.

For the remainder of the first half the Eagles and the Panthers exchanged shot for shot as both jacked up the scoreboard. SJC's guard Andy Laurent (Amityville, N.Y. / Amityville) hit a jumper with 30 seconds remaining to the halftime break to tie the game at 40 apiece.  There were eight lead changes in the first half.

Entering the second half, the Golden Eagles started to pull away from the Panthers with Laurent scoring the first six of eight points for SJC. At 8:50 McCarthy hit two crucial free throws to boost SJC to a 58-53 lead.

McCarthy put the finishing touches on the Panthers after scoring a three-pointer with 47 seconds remaining, giving the Eagles an eight-point lead. His three was followed by successfully converted free throws by Laurent and forward Darryl Charles (Middletown, N.Y. / Poughkeepsie).

Laurent came off the bench in the victory and contributed 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

The Golden Eagles shot remarkable from beyond the arc, with a 42.9 percentage off 6-for-14 shooting. McCarthy shot the majority of the team's three balls, converting 5-of-7.

St. Joseph's travel next Thursday to take on the Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins (8-2, 4-0 SKY) in a Skyline Conference matchup in Riverdale, N.Y. at 8:00 p.m.