Jan. 6, 2009

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University women's basketball team fell to Philadelphia University, 68-61, in non-conference action this evening at the Center for Recreation and Sports. The Lady Rams improve to 7-5, while the Panthers fall to 6-6.

Sophomore Ashley Caiafa led all scorers with 24 points along with a team-high nine rebounds. Senior Lisa Manetta had 15 points and five assists.

Caiafa tallied 14 of her points in the first half as they Panthers shot 48.0 percent from the field. Adelphi led by six, 21-15, at 10:02 when Philadelphia rattled off eight unanswered points to take the lead on a Ashley Gaskins' jumper at 6:26. Caifa tied the game on two made free throws as Manetta put the Panthers ahead on a three-pointer with 3:19 remaining. Adelphi held a 31-27 half-time lead.

The Panthers maintained the lead through the midway point of the second half when the Lady Rams began to turn up the heat. PhilaU went on an 8-0 run to pull ahead for good with 9:08 remaining in the game. Adelphi kept it close, 53-51, on a layup by senior Danielle Parks at 5:50, but Philadelphia improved its shooting to 48.0 percent in the half and held on for the win.

Adelphi held a slight 35-32 rebound advantage on the game shot 42.9 percent from the field, compared with 44.0 percent for Philadelphia. The Lady Rams were also 7-of-15 from beyond the arch (46.7%), while the Panthers were 5-of -14 (35.7%) Despite the Panthers shooting 100 percent (8-of-8), the Lady Rams went to the line a total of 26 times, connecting on 17.

The Lady Rams were led by Jessica Romano with 19 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Amanda Brennan had 16 points, followed by Steph Agger with 10 points.

Adelphi returns to conference action this Saturday, January 10, as they travel to Sparkill, New York to take on St. Thomas Aquains. Tip off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.