Garden City, N.Y. - Despite 26 points in the interior from Leonie Edringer, the Adelphi University women's basketball team led for just two possessions in an 84-71 defeat to Merrimack College on Tuesday night inside the Center for Recreation and Sports.

A season-high in scoring for an Adelphi (8-8, 5-4 NE10) player this season and a career-high for the redshirt junior, Edringer connected on her first nine shots of the contest and finished 12-for-15 with nine rebounds in just 29 minutes, as she racked up four fouls. 

However, the Brown and Gold led just twice over 40 minutes overall, as Fallyn Stephens knocked down a three-pointer to put AU ahead 5-3 in the first quarter (9:03) and Edringer put in two to flip a one-point deficit into a 13-12 lead later in the first.

Leading by five at the end of one and by nine at halftime, the Warriors (11-6, 4-6 NE10) had the answer every time Adelphi attempted to pull closer, as the Brown and Gold managed to cut the deficit to no less than six four times in the second half.

Merrimack got a big double-double from junior forward Denia Davis-Stewart, who scored a season-best 28 points with 16 rebounds and four blocks, and support from four more in double figures.

Senior point guard Karlee Alves dished off 12 of the team's 19 assists, helping her side shoot nearly 50 percent from the floor in the game.

Both Stephens and Julia Strachan provided 12 points in the Panthers' effort, but Adelphi lost the rebounding battle thanks in part to Davis-Stewart's evening, 43-36.

The Panthers will look to get back to their winning ways on Saturday afternoon, as they hit the road for a 1:30 p.m. conference contest at Saint Michael's College. 

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About Adelphi Athletics
A regionally and nationally competitive NCAA Division II institution located in Garden City, N.Y., Adelphi University has been a proud member of the Northeast-10 Conference since 2009.

Winners of 16 NCAA Division II National Championships and four NE10 Presidents' Cups, Panther athletes have excelled at the conference, regional and national level, both on the field of play and in the classroom. In turn, the Adelphi athletic department is committed to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, equity and success where its student-athletes can thrive both on campus and off.

Stay connected with Adelphi Athletics by following the Panthers at aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and wear your Panther pride by shopping official Adelphi Panthers gear at our licensed team store.