Feb. 27, 2008

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University women's basketball team overcame a 31-23 half-time deficit, but ran out of time in a late rally to fall to the University of Bridgeport, 65-63, on Wednesday night at Woodruff Hall. The Panthers fall to 13-13 on the season and 11-8 in the ECC. The Chargers, improve to 15-11 and 12-7 in the league.

Senior Gianna Smith (Hempstead, N.Y.) led the Panthers with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Serita Lee (Freeport, N.Y.) had 13 points and eight boards with senior Mary Lepore (Manhasset, N.Y.) contributing 12 points and seven rebounds.

The Panthers got off to a sluggish start, connecting on just 9-of-31 from the field, as the Purple Knights opened on an 8-0 run. Adelphi managed just two baskets through the 14 minute mark as Bridgeport's lead grew to 11-4. The Panther defense stepped up and held the Purple Knights to just six points, while forcing six turnovers to shrink the gap to four, 19-15, with 8:29 left in the half. Manetta hit two from the free throw line to make it a two-point game, 21-19, at 5:24. But the Purple Knights pulled ahead to maintain their lead, 31-23 at the end of the half.

UB continued its rally into the second half, pulling away to a 10 point lead, 39-29, on a three-pointer by Monique Ross at 15:25. Adelphi rallied to within five points on three occassions, but Bridgeport pushed its margin back to 10, 49-39, at 11:37. A trifecta by Lepore sparked a 14-6 run, as the Panthers closed to within two, 55-53, with 4:35 left in regulaton. Again the Purple Knights pulled ahead, but the Panthers held on, knotting the at 62, on a beyond the arc basket by junior Lisa Manetta (Glendale, N.Y.) with the clock at 1:11. Despite hitting just 1-of-4 from the foul line in the final minute, the Purple Knights held on for the win.

Bridgeport was led by Shannon Malone with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Stephanie Darden had 16, while Ross chipped in 11 points.

Adelphi returns to action on Saturday, March 1, at 5:30 p.m. as they host C.W. Post in what will be the final regular season game to ever be played in historic Woodruff Hall. It is also Alumni Day and Senior Day and fans are encouraged to wear Adelphi apparel.