Garden City, N.Y. - Despite a strong first quarter, the Adelphi University women's basketball team was ultimately handed a 67-53 defeat by the 17th-ranked Bentley University Falcons on Wednesday night inside the Center for Recreation and Sports.
The Panthers (8-10, 5-6 NE10) led for much of the first 10 minutes against the 17th-best team in the nation, and opened up a lead by as much as seven with 2:04 to play in the opening stanza after
Fallyn Stephens knocked down a three-pointer that put the Brown and Gold up, 20-13.
However, back-to-back triples for the Falcons (17-2, 11-1 NE10) to end the frame sparked a 15-4 run for the Falcons that spanned the first 5:27 of the second period, turning a seven-point deficit into a five-point lead for the first-place team in the Northeast-10 Conference's Northeast Division.
Nine answered points over the final 2:25 lengthened Bentley's lead to 12 at 38-26, and the Brown and Gold never managed to close to within single digits before being handed its fourth straight defeat.
Niajah Morgan tallied 22 points (10-21 FG) and seven rebounds in the effort for Adelphi, but saw no other Panther crack the 10-point plateau alongside her for the game.
Emma Cuccurullo blocked five shots and hauled in eight rebounds in her first career start, both career bests, while
Emily Miccile contributed seven points and eight boards.
Conversely, the Falcons had three in double figures, paced by Monica Viapiano's 21-point effort, and she added nine rebounds and two blocks to Bentley's effort.
The Panthers will look to snap their recent skid on Saturday afternoon, as they welcome the Ravens of Franklin Pierce University to the CRS for a 1:30 p.m. contest.
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.
