Pleasantville, N.Y. - With the only double-double of the contest,
Conor McGuinness helped pace the Adelphi University men's basketball program to a 96-87 victory over Chestnut Hill College on day two of the NE10/CACC/ECC Challenge, hosted by Pace University.
The Panthers (2-0) were led for the consecutive night by senior
Jack Laffey, who dropped 30 points with the help of 6-10 shooting from three-point range.
Three other players also contributed double-figure efforts as
Nick Cambio,
Ronnie Silva and McGuinness accounted for 16, 15 and 12, respectively.
The senior point guard also dished off 13 helpers, as the Panthers accumulated 28 assists on baskets as a team overall.
Both teams proved hot from the floor, shooting over 50 percent for the contest, as the Griffins (1-1) had two players each chip in 24 in Cartier Talford and Keyon Butler.
Austin Beech netted back-to-back free throws which sparked a scoring streak for Adelphi, as it jumped out to an eight-point advantage nearly midway through the opening half.
Chestnut Hill managed to come within one however, chipping away at their deficit however were quickly shut back down against a pressing Panther offense.
Thirteen unanswered points peppered with three-pointers from
Dwaine Williams and McGuinness put the Brown and Gold back in the driver's seat as they sustained their lead headed into the halftime break still up by 10.
The Griffins trailed by at-most 14 in the second half, but after the 12-minute mark were able to cut the Panther lead to single digits. Several turnovers and late fouls opened the door for Chestnut Hill to stay competitive, but 4-4 combined shooting from the charity stripe courtesy of Silva and Laffey secured the 96-87 victory.
The men are back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 14 as the second game of a double feature against Pace. Prior to their scheduled 7:30 p.m. tip, the women's team will also take on the Setters, starting at 5:30 p.m.
About Adelphi Athletics
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009, and in the past nine seasons, has collected 28 regular season conference titles, 30 tournament championships, 41 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup four times (2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), while winning six 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.
