Jan. 27, 2007

Box Score

Old Westbury, N.Y. - The Adelphi University women's basketball team used an 11 point first-half lead to hold off NYIT, 63-56. The Panthers improve to 8-10 and 7-4 in the ECC, while the Bears drop to 6-12 and 5-6 in the ECC.

Junior Mary Lepore led the Panthers with 18 points while grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds and dishing out four assists. Junior Gianna Smith chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Panthers found themselves trailing by as much as five in the opening minutes of play. Down 9-4 at 14:18, a layup by Smith sparked a 15-9 run which was capped by a trifecta from sophomore Lisa Manetta with :37 seconds remaining in the half. The Panthers carried a 29-18 advantage into the locker room.

Adelphi's rally continued in the second stanza as Lepore accounted for eight of the next 18 points to push the lead to 45-27, at 12:20. Despite the Bears outscoring the Panthers, 38-34, in the half, Adelphi maintained a comfortable double digit lead until the one minute mark. Nicole Matthews went 4-for-4 from the free throw line to close the gap to six, 60-54, with :30 seconds to go. However Manetta sealed the deal with two made free throws in final seconds.

Matthews led the Bears with 18 points along with nine rebounds. Brittany Smith contributed 16 points and six boards.

Adelphi is back in action on Wednesday, January 31, hosting Concordia College at Woodruff Hall a 7:30 p.m.