Jan. 5, 2008

Box Score

Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. - Despite four players in double figures, the Adelphi University women's basketball team was handed its first conference loss of the season this afternoon at the hands of Mercy College, 67-59. The Mavericks improve to 3-9 overall and 3-3 in the ECC, while the Panthers fall to 5-6 on the season and 3-1 in the league.

Junior Serita Lee (Freeport, N.Y.) led the Panthers with 16 points along with 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Senior Gianna Smith (Hempstead, N.Y.) had 15 points and 13 boards. Senior Mary Lepore (Manhasset, N.Y.) and junior Danielle Parks (Galloway, N.J.) each contributed 10 points and four rebounds.

The Panthers led early, but the Mavericks kept it close, leading by two, 17-15, at 10:06. Lepore drained a three-pointer to spark a 14-5 run as Adelphi pushed its lead to eight, 21-29, with 6:01 remaining in the first half. But the Panthers went cold, missing their last four field goals of the half as Mercy rallied on a 8-0 run to knot the score at 29.

Adelphi took control again in the second half, opening on a 6-2 run capped by a jumper from Smith, 37-31, at 15:55. The Panthers, who shot just 33.3 percent in the half, allowed the Mavericks to close the gap with seven unanswered points. It remained a close contest, with several lead changes, but Mavericks, who shot 50 percent from the field in the half, prevailed. Tied for the ninth time of the game, 49-49, with 7:48 left in regulation, Mercy outscored Adelphi 18-10 over the final minutes to hold on for the win.

The Mavericks were led by Delmara Reece with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Christina Baxter also had 16 points, while Ashley Finnegan added 14 to the victory.

Despite committing 31 of the games 57 turnovers, Mercy managed to outrebound Adelphi, 44-37. They also went to the free throw line 23 times (82.6%), compared to 14 (71.4%) for the Panthers. Both teams struggled from three point range with Adelphi going 1-for-15 and Mercy not much better at 2-for-14.

This marked the first loss by Adelphi to Mercy College in ten years. The last loss was a 70-57 decision on February 1, 1997.

The Panthers return to action on Wednesday, January 9 at the University of New Haven. Game time is 7:00 p.m.