March 4, 2009

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - Four Panthers players scored in double-digits, but it was not enough as #3 Molloy College defeated #6 Adelphi, 67-49, tonight at Quealy Gymnasium in the quarterfinals of the East Coast Conference Tournament. The Panthers finish their season with a 13-15 overall record, while the Lions improve to a 21-6 overall record. By defeating Adelphi, Molloy advances to the ECC semifinals where they take on Dowling College on Saturday, March 7 at the Center for Recreation and Sports complex at 2:30 p.m.

Molloy College Lions fired on all cylinders as they opened on a 15-2 run with 15:44 on the clock. Katelyn Dunn scored six of the Lions 13 points in the burst. Senior Jasmine Travers took the Panthers on her back by scoring five consecutive points cutting the deficit to 5, 15-10, with 12:39 remaining. The Lions would extend their lead back up to a ten point margin, 27-17, but once again the Panthers answered. They cut the lead in half, 27-22, on a Lisa Manetta three pointer from the top of the key and a Travers layup with 5:01 shown in the first half. However, Travers layup would be the final field goal that the Panthers would make in the first half as the Lions ended the first half on a 9-1 rally to go into the locker room, 36-23. Travers scored all ten of her points in the first half of play. Adelphi shot 21.9 percent (7-of-32), while Molloy could not miss as they shot 50 percent in the first half, shooting 50.9 percent for the game.

The Panthers missed five straight field goals and turned the ball over four times leading to the Lions 8-0 spurt to start the second half. In the process, Molloy took their largest lead of the contest of 21 points, 44-23, with 15:16 remaining in regulation. Senior Serita Lee's layup at 14:53 ended a ten minute field goal drought by the Panthers dating back to the first half and gave the Panthers brief hope in an attempt to make a comeback. Adelphi scored on its next possession, on a three pointer by Danielle Parks to trail 44-28. Parks and sophomore Ashley Caiafa combined to close the gap to 13 points, 49-36, with 9:52. However Kymira Woodbury scored six of the next ten Lions points to go up, 59-43, with a little bit over three minutes left to secure the victory.

Seniors Parks, Lee and Travers, along with sophomore Caiafa each recorded ten points for the Panthers. Lee also had 10 rebounds.

Tatiana Lopez had a game-high with 17 points to lead the Lions and Woodberry collected a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Dowling College topped Mercy College, 73-61, to advance to Saturday's final against Molloy College.