Feb. 15, 2005

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - Junior Carlyshia Hurdle (Brentwood, N.Y.) posted her fourth consecutive double-double with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Adelphi University women's basketball team to a convincing 72-53 win over St. Thomas Aquinas on Tuesday night. The Panthers improve to 13-11 on the season and 12-9 in the NYCAC.

Led by Hurdle, four of Adelphi's five starters recorded double digits. Senior Meranne Whitney (Nashua, N.H.) had 13 points and five assists. Freshman Gianna Smith (Hempstead, N.Y.) collected 10 points and 11 boards while senior Melanie Mangone (Middle Village, N.Y.) also had 10 points along with nine rebounds.

The Panther defense held the Lady Spartans to just nine field goals in the first half. In turn, Adelphi hot 44.1 percent (15-of-34) from the field, with three players in double figures. At intermission, the Panthers held a 41-24 advantage.

Adelphi saw its lead grow to 22 points, 48-26, at 16:44 in the second half, capped by a three-pointer from sophomore Betty Mendieta (North Bergen, N.J.). The Panthers realized their largest lead of the night, 55-31, with 11:45 remaining. STAC continued to struggle from the field, connecting on just 7-of-26 in the second half as Adelphi cruised to a 72-53 victory.

Junior Kelly McManus (Pearl River, N.Y.) and senior Caitlin Hayes (Blooming Grover, N.Y.) were top scorers for STAC, scoring 12 points a piece.

Tonight's win served as redemption for the Panthers who lost to the Lady Spartans, 94-77, back on January 5. The Panthers have now won three of its last four contests as they head into the final conference stretch.

Adelphi returns to action on Thursday, February 17, hosting the University of Bridgeport at 5:30 p.m.