Feb. 28, 2004

Box Score

Oakdale, N.Y. - Adelphi held Dowling to 14 percent shooting and just 22 points in the first half, but needed a buzzer beater from senior Dwayne Thompson (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) to close out the regular season with a 59-57 victory. With the win the Panthers head in to the NYCAC tournament as the conference's number six seed. Adelphi improved to 15-12 overall and 13-11 in the league while Dowling falls to 4-23 on the season and 2-21 in the NYCAC.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, combining for just nine points in the first nine minutes of action. But then things heated up, with Adelphi and Dowling trading baskets. Dowling took a two point lead, 17-15 with 6:05 to play on David Nichlos second three-pointer of the half. The Panthers responded with a quick 7-3 run to take a 22-20 lead with 2:37 to play. Freshman Kimani Blaize (Brooklyn, N.Y.) hit back-to-back jumpers during the run. Adelphi used a 9-0 run to enter halftime with a 31-22 advantage.

The Panthers were in control of the game for most of the second half. But with 3:24 to go Thompson hit a short jumper in the lane to push Adelphi's advantage to 10. Then Dowling woke-up and went on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 55 with 1:05 remaining.

Sophomore William Smith (Manasquan, N.J.) scored with 52 seconds on the clock to put the Panthers up two, 57-55. Michael Session (Brentwood, N.Y.) grabbed a Dowling miss and converted the put back to tie the game at 57 with just 32 seconds on the clock. Then Thompson converted a contested jumper as time expired to give the Panthers a two point win.

Blaize led all scorers with a game-high 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Troy Mills (Bay Shore, N.Y.) led Dowling with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Adelphi will return to action Wednesday March 3rd when they compete in the NYCAC tournament.