New Haven, Conn. – Host Southern Connecticut State University claimed an 82-70 victory against the Adelphi University men's basketball team during the Northeast-10 Conference opener this evening.

The Brown and Gold (2-1/0-1 NE-10) put six players in double-figure scoring led by 16 points from Jack Laffey, who also added nine rebounds. Manny Suarez tallied 14 points and five rebounds while Austin Beech came off the bench to record 12 points, four rebounds, a block and a steal.

Michael Mallory led the winning effort for the Owls (2-1/1-0 NE-10) with a game-high 29 points to go with six rebounds and two steals. Jerry Luckett, Jr. posted 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting while Austin Carter notched 15 rebounds.

Less than six minutes into the first half, the Panthers created a 16-7 advantage on the heels of a layup from Laffey. However, Southern Connecticut quickly responded with a 11-2 run to tie the game on a Joey Wallace jumper followed by another field goal and free throw from Wallace to take the lead at 21-18 with 9:35 remaining in the first half.

The Owls grew the first half lead to as large as 11 points before heading into halftime with a 41-32 advantage after Beech cut into the lead on a fast break dunk with two seconds remaining. Laffey and Beech combined for 19 points in the half while Mallory and Wallace combined for 24 points for the Owls.

Despite shooting 29.0 (9-for-31) from the field in the first half, the Panthers remained within striking distance by knocking down 12-of-14 free throw attempts. The Owls converted 11-of-13 free throws in the half to offset zero made three-point attempts.

Laffey helped Adelphi shrink the deficit to four points in the second half at 49-45 less than four minutes after the break with a three-pointer. However, a trey from Mallory with 11:42 left in regulation kept the Owls ahead by double-digits for the remainder of the contest.

Southern Connecticut built a lead to as large as 17 points, benefited by 29 combined points from Mallory and Luckett during the second half. Chris Millender posted 10 points for the Brown and Gold during the second half on four free throws and three field goals.

In the setback, the Panthers managed to turn nine Southern Connecticut turnovers into 10 points while Beech scored all 12 of the team's bench points. The Owls claimed a slight 38-36 points in the paint margin in addition to nine second chance points.

Looking ahead, Adelphi debuts inside the CRS on Saturday for a 3:30 pm league matchup against American International. All in attendance will have a chance to win a raffle of two courtside New York Knicks tickets with a halftime drawing scheduled.

Notes:
- Southern Connecticut led for 75.5 percent of the game this evening.
- The Brown and Gold have had at least four players in double-figures in all three games this season.

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About Adelphi Athletics:
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009 and in the past seven seasons, has collected 20 regular season conference titles, 24 tournament championships, 29 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup three times (2013, 2014, and 2016), while winning five NCAA Division II National Championships.

For the latest on Adelphi University Athletics, follow the Panthers at www.aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat.