Sparkill, N.Y. - Despite a career-high 31 points from sophomore Dwaine Williams, the Adelphi University men's basketball program suffered its first loss in the 2019-20 season, at St. Thomas Aquinas College, 93-78, Wednesday evening. 

Williams led all players and was one of three Panthers (3-1) in double-figure scoring. Jared Rivers and Ronnie Silva accounted for 16 and 11, respectively as the pair also fouled out of the contest. The Spartans, who are off to a hot 5-0 start this season, saw four players reach double-digits as they held the advantage in points in the paint and fast break points. 

Fifteen of Williams's 31 points came in the first half on 5-7 shooting from beyond the arc, as the team collectively shot 50 percent from the field. At halftime, the Brown and Gold only trailed by seven, which was one more than the loss from a season ago. Adelphi, plagued by turnovers in the first half, trailed by at most 11 but managed to keep it in single digits with the help of Williams, Coalmon and Owen Soontjens. 

The home team was able to extend its lead to open the second frame, using a 9-2 run to push their advantage to 16 with 12:46 left on the clock. The hot shooting by Williams allowed the game to remain within reach, bringing them back to within single digits of STAC, however 10 unanswered points set them en route to the eventual victory.  

The team will open up league play on Saturday, Nov. 23 when they tip-off at the College of Saint Rose at approximately 3:30 p.m.