Garden City, N.Y. — The Adelphi men's basketball team returned home to the Center for Recreation and Sport on Tuesday night to host conference foe Southern Connecticut State. 

In the early goings of the first half, both teams were trying to find their footing and neither were able to pull away. At the halfway point of the period, however, the Panthers began to hit their stride. 

Shots by Matthew Price, Patrick Burke and Nuha Sagnia put Adelphi up seven and the offense began to hum. Fast break points by Dayshaun Walton and Al-Fatir Connor extended the lead to 13 but the Owls cut it to eight at the break. 

Southern Connecticut State would not go down without a fight as the Owls got the lead down to four just five minutes into the half

The Panthers stayed composed, knocking down some free throws and playing solid defense. A steal turned into a dunk for Tavin Pierre Philippe as he put the 'Cats up 11. The rout was on.

Adelphi's lead grew to 17 which allowed the Brown and Gold to completely control the game's tempo. A late three by Pierre Philippe, who led the Panthers with 19 points, was the dagger and the 'Cats won the game 80-65. 

Connor led Adelphi with five assists and poured in 12 points. 

Jarnel Rancy had another impressive day both defensively and on the boards, leading Adelphi in rebounds (eight) and blocks (four). 

Head coach Dave Duke and the Panthers moved to 5-2 (2-1 NE10) and will return to the court in the Aloha State on Saturday night when they take on Hawaii Hilo in their first game of the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.