Jan. 10, 2007

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University women's basketball team fought a defensive battle against visiting New Haven, yet came up short, 68-62. The Panthers drop their fourth straight to fall to 4-8 on the season and 3-2 in the ECC. The Chargers improve to 9-3 and 4-1 in the league.

Junior Gianna Smith led all players with 24 points to go along with seven boards, two assists and two steals. Junior Mary Lepore had 10 points, six rebounds and three steals.

New Haven opened on a 6-0 run to take the early lead. Smith accounted for four of the first seven Panther points to knot the score, 7-7, at 16:13. Despite tying four more times, Adelphi held onto the lead through the six minute mark, 21-20. The Chargers outscored the Panthers, 14-6, over the remaining minutes to lead 34-27 at the half.

UNH pushed its lead to 11, 38-27, before Adelphi responded. Smith had 14 points in the second half and capped a 12-5 run which closed the gap to four points, 43-39, with 10:15 on the clock. The Panthers began to struggle from the field, allowing the Chargers to surge ahead, 53-41. Adelphi chipped away at the deficit, closing to within three on two made free throws by senior Betty Mendieta at 1:44. The Panthers still trailed by three with 27 seconds left in regulation, but were unable to convert on their final two possessions. UNH went 3-of-6 from the foul line in the remaining seconds to hold on for the win.

On the night, both teams struggled from beyond the arc with Adelphi hitting just 1-of-10, while New Haven was 1-for-8. The Chargers outrebounded the Panthers 45-32 but committed 30 turnovers.

The Chargers were led by Ashley Hilton with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Lauren Hood chipped in 11 points.

The Panthers return to action on Sautrday, January 13, as they travel to Flushing, New York to take on Queens College at 5:00 p.m.