Box Score

Brooklyn, NY --- Junior Lauren Plagainos hit the go-ahead three pointer with seven seconds remaining in the game, as the Brooklyn College Women's Basketball team erased an 18-point second half deficit to defeat the Panthers of Purchase College, 79-78, earlier tonight at the West Quad Center. With the victory, the Bulldogs (6-2) extend their winning streak to six; while the Panthers fall to 3-3 overall on the season.

Plagainos finished the game with 12 points on 3-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Senior Ariel Smith netted a game-high 25 points to go along with 12 rebounds for the double-double, while junior Justine O'Callahan also recorded a double-double with 20 points and a team-high 13 rebounds.

Tied for the fifth time at 17 apiece with 10:53 remaining in the half, Purchase used a 9-0 run over a two minute span to take control of the game. The Panthers would lead by as many as 12, 35-23, at the 3:32 mark, before heading into the break with an eight point halftime lead, 40-32.

Purchase would continue to maintain control of the game utilizing a 14-4 run to start the second half, pushing its lead to 18, 54-36, with 15:38 left in the game. Brooklyn would show its resiliency chipping away at the Panthers lead and eventually tying the game at 68 all with 5:20 left in the game. Smith and O'Callahan helped lead the comeback scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the Bulldogs outscored the Panthers 32-14 over a 10-minute span.

A Smith layup would later give Brooklyn its first lead of the game, 73-72, with 1:33 left in the game, since the 11:48 mark of the first stanza. However, Purchase would answer quickly on the next possession as Jessica Perrone converted on a drive to the basket and was fouled by O'Callahan. Perrone knocked down the free throw, reclaiming the lead for the Panthers, 75-73.

A missed three by Plagainos, followed by a missed jumper by Purchase's Alysa Guido, gave Brooklyn the ball down two with under a minute left.  Smith made a big jumper in the lane to tie, but Purchase's Alyse LaPadula came right back with a basket to give her team the 77-75 advantage. 

Smith pushed the ball back in transition and missed a driving attempt, but BC's Elisha Raiford was there for the rebound, and was able to draw a foul while going up for the putback.  Raiford made one of two, cutting the deficit to one, 77-76.

Brooklyn fouled immediately, sending Guido to the line for two shots, and a chance to extend the lead to three.  She made the first, but missed the second and Brooklyn was able to get the ball to Smith who penetrated into the lane and kicked the ball to an open Plagainos in the corner, who converted the would-be game-winning three-pointer.

"We did a great job of being the more composed team down the stretch," said Brooklyn Head Coach Alex Lang.  "Ariel made a great play to draw the double team and find Gracie for the open shot. This was a great way to keep our win streak going."

Purchase had six players score in double figures led by Alyse LaPadula who scored a team-high 16 points. Guido, Rachel Perrone and J. Perrone all finished with 13 points, while MaryAlice Palmer netted 11 points. R. Perrone and Palmer finished the night with double-doubles, as R. Perrone grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and Palmer dished out a game-best 10 assists.

Brooklyn is back in action this Saturday, December 11th, as the Bulldogs will take on the Valiants of Manhattanville College in the CUNYAC Coaches vs. Cancer at Lehman College in the Bronx, NY. Tip-Off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.