Nov. 20, 2004

Box Score

Waltham, Mass. - Adelphi was down by just one point in the final minute of the game and had three possessions to hit the game winner, but missed a three-pointer and turned the all over twice, falling to Merrimack 56-55. With the loss the Panthers fall to 0-2 on the season, while Merrimack improves to 2-0.

The first half was played very tight with Merrimack and Adelphi passing the lead back and forth. Merrimack claimed the largest cushion of the first half when Micky Burtnyk (Phoenix, AZ) hit a jumper to give the Warriors a five point lead, 27-22. Adelphi freshman Keshaun Horne (Glenmont, N.Y.) hit one of two free throws just before the half to pull the Panthers to within three, 31-28 heading in to the locker room.

Merrimack opened the second half by pushing their lead to six on a lay up by Bobby Murgo (Watertown, MA). Adelphi responded with a 7-0 run, which was starter by sophomore Kimani Blaize's (Brooklyn, N.Y.) three-pointer, to take a one point lead with 15:03 to play.

The Warriors battled right back again taking a seven point lead on the strength of a 10-2 run. The Panthers would claim a three point advantage with 3:50 to play on a James Samuels (Uniondale, N.Y.) lay-up. But again Merrimack came back, claiming a two point lead with 2:37 to play, 54-52. The Panthers would knot the game at 54 on two free throws by Samuels, but Merrimack's Kenny Jones (Norwich, CT) converted to free throws to put the Warriors on top for good 56-54.

Eric Martin (Laurelton, N.Y.) had a chance to knot the score at 56 with 1:06 to play but could convert just one of two free throw opportunities. Adelphi had three more chances in the last minute but Blaize missed a three-pointer and the Panthers turned the ball over twice.

Pierre Downing (Trenton, NJ) led four Merrimack players in double figures with 15 points, he also grabbed 11 boards. Murgo chipped in 12 points, while Bruno Zanotti (Asuncion, Paraguay) and Jones scored 10 points each.

Blaize led four Panthers in double figures with 13 points, while teammate Aaron Cummings (Bay Shore, N.Y.) led all players with 12 rebounds and five assists. Jamaal Wagner (Jamaica, N.Y.) chipped in 10 points while Martin and Samuels scored 11 and 12 respectively.

The contest featured 14 lead changes and seven ties before Merrimack was able to escape with the win. The difference proved to be the free throw line, where Merrimack shot 91.7 percent (11-12) for the game, while Adelphi converted just 58.3 (7-12) of their attempts.

Adelphi returns to action on Saturday, November 20th when they take on Bentley College at 8:00 pm in Waltham, Massachusetts.