RADNOR, Pa - Skyline Tournament MVP Michael McNair scored a game-high 28 points as Purchase registered a 79-69 win over Hartwick on Friday evening in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament at Cabrini College. 

The Panthers (22-4) will face Cabrini on Sat. evening at 7:00pm. 

In the first half of play, Hartwick jumped out to a 10-point lead, 14-4, just 4:14 into the contest. The Panthers regrouped, outscoring 'Wick 36-18 the rest of the way to take a 40-32 into intermission. Purchase took the lead 34-32 on a layup with 3:49 to play, and held onto it for the rest of the night.  The Hawks hit 48% from the floor in the opening stanza. The Panthers hit 46.7% as a team and hit 10-of-13 free throws, while out-rebounding Hartwick, 17-13.

The Panther advantage swelled to 11 points, 47-36, quickly in the second half, but a 12-2 Hartwick run made it a one-point game, 49-48, with 12 minutes remaining. Ryder hit two three-pointers and Suderley converted two jumpers in the run.  Purchase opened up two leads of seven points twice in the next five minutes, but the Hawks fought back each time.  The Panthers took advantage with seven straight points and they led 70-58 with under four minutes left.

McNair would finish the night with a game-high 28 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including a 3-of-3 showing from beyond the three-point arc. Marvin Billups and Charles Thompson each added 13 and Corey Orgias netted 11. Billups also grabbed a team-best nine rebounds.

The Hawks shot 39% for the game (24-for-61) and 28% from three-point range (7-for-25). Purchase made 47% of its shots and 50% of its three's. The Panthers won the rebounding margin, 38-31, and forced the Hawks into 17 turnovers, which was their highest total in 18 games.

NCAA Bracket - http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball-men/d3/2011