Jan. 6, 2005

Box Score

Sparkill, N.Y. - Adelphi shot 40 percent from the field for the game and held St. Thomas Aquinas to just eight points over the final eight minutes of action to claim a 56-50 road victory. With the win the Panthers improve to 7-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play.

Adelphi and St. Thomas Aquinas started out cold from the field, with the Spartans putting the first points on the board at the 16:41 mark. From there St. Thomas Aquinas built an early lead on the back of Robert Epps (Bronx, N.Y.) who scored 16 points in the first half.

But the Panthers closed the half on a 13-1 run to take a 35-25 lead into the half. James Samuels (Uniondale, N.Y.) scored seven straight points during a minute and a half stretch to push the Panther edge to 32-24, forcing the Spartans to call a timeout.

Adelphi came out strong in the second half opening up a 42-27 lead early. But St. Thomas Aquinas clawed their way back into the game, closing the gap to 45-42 on a three-pointer by Willis Kettrell (Rosedale, N.Y.). But the Panthers outscored St. Thomas Aquinas 11-8 over the final eight minutes to close out a 56-50 win.

Epps lead the Spartans with a game-high 27 points to go along with a game-high eight rebounds. Corey Simmons (Jamaica, N.Y.) chipped in nine points.

Junior Eric Martin (Laurelton, N.Y.) led the way for Adelphi with 10 points, teammate Aaron Cummings chipped in eight points, six assists and three boards. Sophomores Kimani Blaize (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Samuel Jenkins (Brooklyn, N.Y.) also contributed eight points.

The Panthers return to action on Saturday, January 8th when they play host to visiting conference opponent LIU-Southampton at 3:00 pm in Woodruff Hall.