New York, NY - On Friday night, the City College of New York men's basketball team welcomed fans back to the Nat Holman Gymnasium for their home-opener against Purchase College. The Beavers sent fans home happy as they defeated the Panthers, 86-82, on their home court, capped off by a game-winning shot from junior Daniel Piszczatowski.

The Beavers improve to 2-1 overall with the win, while the Panthers fall to 0-2.

The Beavers trailed, 73-68, with just 5:03 remaining in the second half on Friday. Junior Dashaun Galloway cut the deficit to two with 4:42 on the clock after draining a deep three-pointer. After a quick basket by the Panthers to put them up by four (75-71), a late foul just under four minutes remaining sent freshman Bayame Bah to the line for CCNY, converting each free-throw, narrowing Purchases advantage back down to two (75-73). 

With 3:27 to go in regulation, senior Joey Leighton stepped up to knock down a trifecta, regaining the lead for the Beavers, 76-75. The Panthers retook to lead, scoring three straight points to hold a two-point margin, 78-76. Sophomore Yassine Sakhi knocked down a pair of free throws to even the contest at 78-78 with 2:53 to go.

After a pair of baskets and made free throws, both teams found themselves tied once again at 82 points apiece with 23 seconds left in the contest. After junior Daniel Piszczatowski missed his first shot attempt, Piszczatowski was able to recover the offensive rebound after a made-scramble and banked in the game-winner on a floater with 2.5 seconds left.

The Beavers closed out the game, holding off Purchase, securing a 86-82 victory on their home court.

Sakhi led all scorers with a season-high 25 points, including six rebounds and four assists. Piszatowski netted 13 points, along with eight rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Amir Assani finished the night with his second consecutive double-double performance, posting 11 points and 10 rebounds, along with five assists and two blocks. 

Galloway recorded a game-high nine assists, 11 points, six rebounds, and a block, while freshman Elijah Patterson tallied six points, seven rebounds, and a block. Leighton played well off the bench, finishing with nine points, two rebounds, and a pair of steals. Freshman Bayame Bah tallied 11 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one block.

Next, the Beavers will begin a five-game road swing starting on Monday, Nov. 15, against Manhattanville College at 7:00 p.m.