Feb. 24, 2007

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - Junior Gianna Smith registered seven of her game-high 26 points in the final 1:27 of the game to lift Adelphi University to a 67-64 victory over Molloy College on Saturday night at Woodruff Hall. The Panthers improve to 15-12 and 14-6 in the East Coast Conference to clinch the #3 seed in the tournament. The Lions drop to 15-12 and 11-9 in the league and are also assured a playoff spot.

Prior to the start of tonight's game, Adelphi honored its senior class. Four year letterwinner, Betty Menedieta, along with graduate student transfers Valentina Ionova and Dana Petersen were each recognized.

Adelphi came out strong as they rolled to a 12-2 start capped by a three-pointers from junior Mary Lepore, who accounted for 11 points and five boards. The Panthers maintained a comfortable advantage until 10:32 when the Lions rallied on a 10-2 run to close the gap to two, 21-19, at 5:59. Over the next four minutes Adelphi outscored Molloy 12-5, capped by a trifecta by sophomore Lisa Manetta to push its lead back to ten, 34-24, with 2:12 to go. The Panthers went into the locker room up 36-30.

Adelphi led by as much as 14 points early in the second half. Molloy fought back, and despite hitting just 3-of-11 from the field, managed to connect on 10-for-10 from the free throw line. This coupled with a Panther shooting slump, saw the Lions tie the game, 48-48, on a Katelyn Dunn layup with 9:39 left in regulation. AU held its ground until 3:41 when Molloy took its first lead of the contest at 3:41. Ionova tied the game with two of her 12 points as the Lions answered back to maitain its lead. Smith knotted the score at 62 at 1:27 as Adelphi pulled away for the win.

Clarissa Jones, Randi Bender and Lisa Abitante each contributed 12 points for Molloy.

The Panthers return to action on Wednesday, February 28, as they host the first round of the ECC Tournament at 5:30 p.m. Adelphi will play the #6 seed, which could potentially be a rematch with Molloy College.