New Haven, Conn. – Senior tri-captain Kelsey Pendagast (Shelton, Conn.) scored 16 points and pulled down a career-high 22 rebounds to lead the Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team to an 86-50 victory over visiting Purchase College on Thursday evening in non-conference action at The Nest inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center.

With their second straight home triumph, the Falcons improve to 8-6 on the year, while the Panthers dropped their seventh in a row to move to 1-14 overall.

Both teams struggled from the field, as Albertus Magnus shot 33 percent for the game and Purchase converted just under 28 percent of their shots. The biggest advantage in the game came on the boards with the hosts outrebounding the guests, 72-38. The 72 rebounds marked a program-best under Head Coach JR Fredette for the Falcons.

Purchase opened the scoring on its second possession of the tilt courtesy of jumper in the paint from sophomore center Danielle Holmes 57 seconds into play. On the ensuing possession, the Falcons would take the lead thanks to a trey from junior guard Liz Falcigno (Wallingford, Conn.). AMC would hold the lead throughout the remainder of the contest. After the initial bucket by Holmes, Purchase was outscored 27-10 in the first quarter. During the opening frame, Albertus Magnus hit 47 percent of its shots, including a trio of three-pointers. In total, Falcigno and sophomore forward Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn.) combined for 17 points during the first 10 minutes of action.

The teams traded baskets in the second frame with the Falcons outscoring the guests, 14-12, to take a 41-24 edge into halftime. The Falcon reserves saw a majority of the action in the second with freshman guard Deja Ward (Middletown, Conn.) providing a spark with eight points courtesy of 3-of-5 shooting.

Albertus Magnus pulled away in the second half, outscoring the guests by 10 in the third quarter and nine in the fourth to earn their fifth win against an opponent form the Empire State this winter.

Pendagast paced the offensive attack for the hosts with her 16 points. The double-double was her fifth of the season as she also contributed two blocks and two steals. Falcigno scored in double figures for the eighth straight contest, finishing with 15 points and four rebounds on 5-of-11 shooting. Ward was the other Falcon in double figures, pouring in 14 points to go along with two assists and four rebounds.

It was a balanced offensive effort for Purchase with five players scoring eight or more points led by junior guard Allison Haugh with a team-high 11 points. Haugh was the Panthers most efficient player on the evening, hitting 4-of-7 shots while recording three assists and pulling down two rebounds. Senior forward Elizabeth Osowiecki also scored in double figures for the guests, netting 10 points to go along with eight rebounds.

The Albertus Magnus depth proved to be a factor in the tilt with the Falcon reserves outscoring the Purchase bench, 36-18.

Albertus Magnus returns to action on Saturday, January 16, with a home conference clash against Mount Ida at 1:00 pm. The Falcons enter this weekend's tilt riding a three-game winning streak against the Mustangs.

For the latest information on the women's basketball team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.