Jan. 31, 2004

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - Freshman Kimani Blaize (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and senior Thomas McCormack (Breezy Point, N.Y.) led a late charge, scoring nine points in the final minute, but fell short in a 74-66 loss to NYIT. The Panthers shot just 34 percent from the field in the loss and 58 percent from the line; NYIT was 38 percent from the field and 72 percent from the line. With the loss Adelphi drops to 11-7 overall and 9-6 in conference play, while NYIT improves to 12-6 overall and 10-5 in the conference.

Adelphi came out fast, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead on a bucket by Dwayne Thompson (Cambria Heights, N.Y.). NYIT responded with a three-point basket by Michael Smith (Kings Park, N.Y.) and three free throws by Edwin Ebanks (Bellerose, N.Y.), who was fouled while attempting a three-pointer. The Bears took a 6-4 lead that they would never relinquish.

NYIT extended their lead to 16 with 41 seconds left in the game on a three-point play by Rade Dzambic (Belgrade, Serbia). Adelphi cut the lead to 15 just before the half on a made free throw by Thompson and entered the locker room trailing 36-21.

The Panthers came out strong again in the second half, going on a quick 6-1 run to close to within eight, 37-29. NYIT pulled away again and extended their lead back to double digits on free throws by Patrick Tunstead (Sydney, Australia). The Panthers closed back to within six again on a three-pointer by Thompson.

But again NYIT was able to pull away using a 12-3 run to extend their edge to 15 points, 62-47, with 4:51 to play. Adelphi would not give up and went on a 10-1 run of their own to cut the lead to six again. Jamaal Wagner (Jamaica, N.Y.) had five of Adelphi's 10 points in the run.

Six points was as close as the Panthers would get. The Bears converted nine free throws and hit a jumper in the final 1:05 to play to leave Woodruff Hall with a 74-66 win. NYIT had an advantage in free throws, making 19 more trips to the line (31-43) then Adelphi (14-24) in the win.

The Panthers were led by Wagner, who picked up his second consecutive double-double, 12 points and 10 rebounds. Thompson scored a team-high 13 points, while McCormack had another solid game, 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals.

Tunstead paced the Bears with a game-high 15 points and nine rebounds. Manix Aurianthal (Montreal, Canada) and Dzambic also contributed 15 points apiece for NYIT.

Tonight's contest will be televised by Telecare (Cablevision channel 29) on Monday, February 2nd at 10 pm. Adelphi returns to action on Thursday when they travel to NYIT for a rematch with the Bears at 7:30 pm.