PURCHASE, N.Y. – Niyona Smith (Baltimore, MD/Concordia Prep) and Julianna Kascic (North Bergen, N.J./Paramus Catholic) combined for 30 points and 22 rebounds, each recording a double-double to defeat Purchase College, 65-39, on Wednesday evening. With the win, the Valiants improved to 2-0 on the young season.

It would be a dominant night for Smith as she led the Valiants with 18 points, going 5-11 from the field and 8-9 from the free throw line. She would add 10 boards, five assists, a steal, and a block to her stat line for the night. Kascic would contribute with 12 points and 12 rebounds with a pair of assists and a steal.

Manhattanville would get on the board first, scoring on an Amanda Orlando (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) drive to the hoop. Shortly after, the Panthers would score 11 points straight as the Valiants couldn't seem to sink a shot through six and a half minutes of play. Free throws from Jamison Agostino (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville) and Kascic would add to the five total points scored through the first quarter for Manhattanville, while Purchase would hold a 14-5 lead.

The second quarter would see a huge shift in overall possession and team dominance on the court. The Panthers would score a basket to start, and they would go on a drought just as the Valiants did in the previous quarter. Manhattanville would then erupt for 24 points showcasing their depth in a team effort. Angela Downey (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) would hit a pair of three pointers, while Livi Correia (North Attleboro, Mass./Worcester Academy) and Kristen Scrobola (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas High School) would each notch a basket. The Valiants would lead 29-16 going into halftime.

It would be another 24-point quarter for Manhattanville as Smith continued to keep control in the paint with a few scoring runs taking place through 10 minutes of play. Purchase could only come up with seven points for themselves as Aysiah Clinton, Charlee Neb, and Kendall Larsen would be determined to chip away at the Valiants' lead.

In the final quarter of regulation, the Panthers were able to find momentum scoring six points right away, but the Valiants would score eight more in response. Purchase would find some chances and both teams would have open opportunities, but neither would be able to score a basket through the final two minutes of play.

Manhattanville would dominate on both ends as they outshot the Panthers, 67-49 and would grab 46 rebounds compared to Purchase's 40. The Valiants would score 38 points in the paints, 22 points off of turnovers, and 11 second chance points.

The Valiants will be back in Kennedy Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 18 with a nonconference matchup against Utica University. Tip-off begins at 2 p.m.

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