March 7, 2004

Box Score

Brookville, N.Y. - The Adelphi University topped St. Thomas Aquinas, 77-65, to claim the NYCAC Championships this afternoon. Junior guard Melanie Mangone (Middle Village, N.Y.) paced the Panthers with a season-best 23 points to garner Tournament MVP honors. With today's victory, Adelphi (20-10) earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Northeast Regional Tournament.

This is the second time in three years that Adelphi has won the NYCAC Tournament to receive an NCAA post-season berth. It will be the first trip for second-year Head Coach Kelley Watts.

A balanced Panther attack posted a total of four players in double figures. Senior Jamie Douglas (Hopatcong, N.J.), named to the NYCAC All-Tournament team, had 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Sophomore Carlyshia Hurdle (Brentwood, N.Y.) tallied 11 of her 13 points in the first half, along with seven rebounds. Junior Meranne Whitney (Nashua, N.H.) chipped in 11 points.

Mangone opened the contest with a three-point basket as the Panthers went on a 7-0 run. The Spartans rallied back on a 13-5 run to close to within two, 13-15. Whitney contributed five of the next nine Adelphi points to open another seven-point advantage, 24-17 at 9:12. STAC again clawed its way back on a 13-7 rally, closing the deficit, 31-30,on two made free throws by freshman Anne Micha Kretzer (Wharton, N.J.) at 4:02. Mangone followed with another three-pointer, she was 4-of-6 on the day, spurring a 10-2 Panther run. Adelphi held a comfortable 41-32 lead at the half.

Freshman Betty Mendieta hit a jumper to open the second half, followed by two made baskets from Douglas as Adelphi extended its lead to 13, 47-34. Over the next seven minutes, both teams traded quick baskets but STAC was never able to gain any momentum. The Spartans closed the gap to nine, 55-46, on a three-pointer by sophomore Kelly McManus (Pearl River, N.Y.) at 11:24, but this would prove to be the closest they would get. Whitney answered with a three-point basket as the Panthers pulled away on a 14-4 run. With 5:29 remaining, the Panthers held a 71-52 advantage and were never contested for the win.

The Panthers defense was stellar, dominating the boards 42-37. The team also committed a season low six turnovers on the game, while forcing 11 by STAC.

Joining Mangone and Douglas on the All-Tournament team, were STAC juniors Regina Cunningham and Caitlin Hayes, who had 13 and 12 points, respectively. In addition, New Haven senior Jill Angotta (Willimantic, CT) and Dowling senior Zulmary Andino (Valle, Puerto Rico) also earned All-Tournament honors.

The NCAA Division II women's basketball championships will be announced tonight, beginning at 10:30 p.m. on CSTV. Regional action is slated for March 12, 13, and 15, with Merrimack College slated to host the Northeast Regionals. Additional tournament information can also be accessed at www.ncaasports.com.