Garden City, N.Y. — The Adelphi men's basketball team played host to Molloy for its season opener in front of a packed house on Friday night. 

Early in the first half it was a back and forth game with the local rivals trading buckets. With a little over 10 minutes to go in the period it was just a three point game until the Panther offense kicked it into gear. 

Tavin Pierre Philippe took the game over and with some jumpers mixed in from Mason Jackson and Nuha Sagnia, the three point margin quickly expanded to 11. The Lions would try to respond but the fast-paced Adelphi offense kept ramping it up. An incredible tip in layup by Al-Fatir Connor would have the Center for Recreation and Sport on its feet as the 'Cats would then go up 15. 

As the clock counted down, the Adelphi lead began to rise into the twenties. A 10-0 run and incredible half court heave from Pierre Philippe at the buzzer would put Adelphi up 26 at the half. 

From there, it was all business from the Brown and Gold. They slowed their tempo and played solid defense, not letting the lead slip away. More offense from Andres Fulgencio and a boost from Matthew Price would guide the Panthers in the second half and to a 101-70 victory. 

Pierre Philippe led the 'Cats with 18 points, followed by Fulgencio who scored 17. 

Dayshaun Walton was the team leader in both assists (10) and rebounds (11), recording Adelphi's first double-double of the young season. 

Myles Cumberland made his collegiate debut and was a perfect 2-2 from the floor, scoring four points. 

Fulgencio, Sagnia, Pierre Philippe and Connor all made their Adelphi debuts in the game. 

Head coach Dave Duke and the Panthers return to the court tomorrow afternoon when they host Queens College at 1 p.m in their final game of the ECC/NE10 challenge.