Albany, NY—Sage's men's basketball team hosted Purchase College in the Gators' 2019-2020 home opener in Kahl Gym on Tuesday night. Sage collected a 77-73 win to improve to 2-0, while Purchase falls to 0-1 on the young season.
After playing to a 40-40 tie at the break, the Sage and the Panthers exchanged leads and the game was tied 12 times. The last coming at 73-73 with 2:29 left to play. Sophomore Charles Davis (Bronx, NY/Fannie Lou Hamer) hit a layup to give Sage a 75-73 lead. The Gators would hold the Panthers scoreless the rest of the way as Davis hit a free throw at 0:024 and senior Darius Denmark (Orlando, FL/Evans) sealed the win with a free throw at 00:08 giving Sage a 77-73 lead. Purchase's Elijah Lott (Albany, NY/Columbia) had a three pointer with 0:01 left but it missed the mark and the Gators got the rebound to seal the Gators' home win.
For the game, Sage got a double-double from senior captain Anthony Mitchell (Bronx, NY/Salesian) as he had 12 points with a personal-best 13 rebounds. Mitchell handed out six assists as well with a 5-for-10 effort from the floor. Davis added a season-best 13 points off the bench with seven rebounds and made 4-of-6 shots from the floor. Sophomore Stuart Phair (Canberra, Australia) collected 12 points with eight rebounds and a blocked shot for the Gators. Sophomore forward Jason Geronimo (Orlando, FL/Colonial) picked up eight points with a career-high 13 rebounds including nine defensive caroms.
Sophomore guard Jalon Borders (Bartow, FL/All Hallows) picked up 14 points for the night with seven rebounds as the Gators had a commanding edge on the boards, 59-37.
For Purchase, Lott led all scorers with his 22 points and made 7-10 from the line with seven steals. Junior guard Jorge Perdomo (Bronx, NY/Salesian) tallied 19 points and had a double-double with his 11 rebounds..
Sage is back in action on November 15-16 competing at the Wesleyan University Tip-Off Tournament. Sage takes on Wesleyan University on Friday night at 6 p.m. Purchase College hosts Cortland State on November 15 at 8 p.m. in the team's home opener.