Dec. 13, 2006

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - Junior Gianna Smith led all players with 15 points along with five rebounds as the Adelphi University women's basketball team topped Mercy College, 61-49, on Wednesday evening at Woodruff Hall. The Panthers improve to 4-4 on the season and 3-1 in league play, while the Lady Flyers fall to 2-5 and 1-3 in the conference.

Sophomore Lisa Manetta was the only other Panther in double figures with 10 points. Sophomore Serita Lee had eight points while pulling down a game-high eight rebounds. Graduate student Dana Petersen was close behind with seven rebounds to go along with her six points.

Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the first half, keeping the game close. Adelphi led by as much as 11 points, 14-3, at 15:22. Mercy rallied, outscoring Adelphi, 26-15 over the next 12 minutes to take their only lead of the game, 28-27, on a three-point basket by Christina Baxter. A jumper by graduate student Valentina Ionova put the Panthers back up for good as they went into the half with a 36-32 advantage.

Junior Mary Lepore scored two of her eight points in the opening minutes of the second half as the Panthers opened a 44-34 cushion. Adelphi led by as much as 18 points, 57-39, with 7:42 remaining as they held on for the win.

Both teams were marred with turnovers, with Mercy leading the way with 30. The Panthers shot 45.8 percent from the field and held a 37-32 rebound advantage.

The Lady Flyers were led by Baxter with 15 points. Precious Tyler had 10 points.

The Panthers take a rest for the holidays before returning to action at the Surf n' Slam Tournament in San Diego, California on December 29 and 30. Over the two day tournament, Adelphi will face Bentley College, Shippensburg University and Shaw University.