March 9, 2007

Box Score

Philadelphia, PA - Junior Gianna Smith poured in 21 of her career and game-high 29 points in the second half, but it was not enough to lift the Adelphi University women's basketball team as the fell, 67-54, to Dominican College in game two of the ECAC Division II Tournament. The Panthers end the season with a 16-14 overall record while the Chargers (19-9), who advance to tomorrow's finals.

Smith, who scored over half of Adelphi's total points, also pulled down a game-high 10 boards. She was the only Panther in double figures as senior Betty Mendieta had nine points, six rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Serita Lee came off the bench to add six points and seven rebounds.

Adelphi led early, 5-3, on a three-pointer from graduate student, Valentina Ionova at 16:50. Dominican pulled ahead on a 9-2 run through the 14:23 mark. The Panthers knotted the score at 12 on a layup by Lee with 12:47 left in the half. The Chargers again opened its lead to seven before the Panthers clawed back to make it a one point game, 21-20, at 5:00. Dominican broke free on a 15-2 run to close the half. Adelphi trailed, 36-22 at intermission.

The Panthers began to slowly chip away at the Charger lead and an 8-0 run midway through the second half brought them to within two, 45-43, with 7:59 left in regulation. Adelphi kept it close and trailed by three, 55-52, at 3:20, however Dominican closed on a 12-2 rally for the win.

Dana Rotio led a balanced Charger attack with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Beth DePalo chipped in 13 points and seven boards.

The ECAC finals will be a Central Athletic Collegiate Conference (CACC) battle as both East Coast Conference (ECC) schools fell in the first round. Host Philadelphia University defeated Molloy College, 83-75, and will take on Dominican at 1:00 p.m.