Dec. 8, 2007

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - Senior Mary Lepore (Manhasset, N.Y.) tallied 19 points and seven rebounds to lead the Adelphi University women's basketball team to a 67-56 non-conference victory over Pace University on Saturday afternoon at Woodruff Hall. The Panthers (5-3) extend their win streak to five straight, while the Setters drop to 1-6.

Senior Gianna Smith (Hempstead, N.Y.) also contributed 19 points and four rebounds. Junior Serita Lee (Freeport, N.Y.) had 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds and five steals.

The Panthers jumped out to a quick 16-4 lead and never looked back. A basket by junior Danielle Parks (Galloway, N.J.) at 1:50 made it 29-12, with the Panthers up 32-14 as time expired on the half. Adelphi dominated the first half, connecting on 13-of-26 from the field (50 percent). In contrast, Pace hit just five of 24 (20.8 percent).

The Panthers kept up their strong play in the second half, realizing their largest lead of the night on a jumper by Smith, 35-16, at 17:41. Then Pace hit three consecutive three-point baskets, two at the hands of freshman Kristin Connolly, to spur a 21-10 run. The Setters, who shot 59.4 percent (16-27) in the half, closed to within eight points, 45-37, with 10:53 left in regulation.

Adelphi was strong from the free throw line, hitting 21-of-25 in the second half to maintain a double digit lead through the two minute mark. Down 60-45, Pace rattled off six unanswered points to make it a nine point game, 50-51, at 1:42, but fouls sent Adelphi to the line three times pushing the margin back to 11, 67-56, as time expired.

Connolly led the Setters with 12 points, nine in the second half. Senior Maria Cirello had 11 points off the bench.

This was the first win for Adelphi over Pace since a 76-75 victory on 11/15/04. The Setters lead the all-time series 34-9.

After an impressive 3-0 week, the Panthers are off until next Saturday, December 15, when they host Caldwell College at 5:30 p.m.