Feb. 17, 2007

Box Score

Bridgeport, CT - Junior Gianna Smith poured in 17 of her game-high 28 points in the second half and registered her 1,000th career point in the process, as the Adelphi University women's basketball team defeated the University of Bridgeport, 59-54, at Bruce Webster Court. The Panthers improve to 14-11 and 13-5 in the ECC, while the Purple Knights drop to 11-14 and 11-7.

Smith, who also grabbed 11 rebounds, tallied her 1000th point from the line with seven seconds left in regulation. She was 12-of-17 from the charity stripe, eight of which came in the final 12 seconds as she became the 17th player in Adelphi history to reach the milestone. Graduate student Dana Petersen was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc for 10 points, along with two rebounds and four steals.

Bridgeport took advantage of a slow Adelphi start as Angelina Jimenez accounted for nine of the team's 13 points to lead, 13-2, through 14:47. A layup from graduate student Valentina Ionova sparked a 17-2 Panther run as they took their first lead, 20-19, at 4:43. Adelphi outscored Bridgeport, 9-5 in the remaining minutes to hold a 29-25 half-time advantage.

The game tied twice more in the second half, but Adelphi never relinquished its lead. Smith accounted for Adelphi's final field goal at 3:41, 53-41. The Panthers went to the free throw line 31 times in the contest, including ten in the final seconds, hitting 64.5 percent. UB tried to close the gap on a late 13-5 run but it was not enough.

Jimenez led the Purple Knights with 19 points and a game-high 20 rebounds. Jennifer Rucker had 14 points and seven rebounds.

Adelphi returns to action on Wednesday, February 21, at C.W. Post. Game time is 5:00 p.m.