Feb. 17, 2005

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi men's basketball team held Bridgeport to just 23 points in the second half but let the game slip away, converting just five of 15 free throw attempts in the second frame to fall 57-54. With the loss the 22nd ranked Panthers fall to 20-5 on the season and 19-3 in the conference, while Bridgeport improves to 17-7 overall and 15-6 in the NYCAC.

Bridgeport took control early in the first half, pushing out to a lead of four points early. Adelphi fought back and pushed out to a four point lead of their own, 27-23, with 5:08 to play on a lay-up by Mike Mosby (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.).

The Purple Knights responded by knotting the game at 31 with 1:02 to play on a jumper by Ramel Allen (Bronx, N.Y.). But Bridgeport was not done, as Mike Rosario (Bridgeport, CT) sank a deep three-pointer as time expired in the half to put Bridgeport up 34-31 at the break.

Adelphi opened the second half sluggish, allowing Bridgeport to take a 38-32 edge with 17:27 remaining before responding with a 9-0 run to claim a 41-38 lead at the 13:14 mark. The Purple Knights fired right back with an 11-1 run to take a 49-42 edge with 9:28 left in the game.

The Panthers again battled back, finally drawing even at 54 with 2:26 to play on a jumper by Eric Martin (Laurelton, N.Y.). Kevin Jeffreys (Bridgeport, CT) hit a jumper with 1:36 left on the clock to put Bridgeport ahead 56-54.

Kimani Blaize (Brooklyn, N.Y.) drove to the hoop with 15 seconds left on the clock attempting to tie the score but was rejected by the 6-11 Allen. Martin corralled the rebound and again went up and Allen swatted the shot away were it was collected by Jeffreys effectively ending the game.

James Samuels (Uniondale, N.Y.) led Adelphi with a double dip, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Martin was the only other Panther in double-digits, dropping in 10 points and pulling down seven boards.

Raul Natera (Bronx, N.Y.) and Rosario both chipped in 13 points, while Allen scored eight, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked a game-high seven shots.

Adelphi returns to action on February 23 when they travel to Oakdale, N.Y. to take on Dowling College at 7:30 pm.