Caldwell, N.J. – The Adelphi University women's basketball program opened the 2024-2025 season with a close loss to the Dominican University of New York Chargers. This is the first of two games over two days at the Northeast-10/Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Conference Challenge. The Panther's were led by senior guard Kaitlyn O'Connell, scoring 19 points and hitting five three-pointers in the loss.
The Chargers jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, going up by as many as six points. After a couple of baskets from sophomore's Isabella Ascencio and Ariana Kupi, O'Connell fired back-to-back threes to give the Panther's a 18-14 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes of play.
The team's ensued in a back and forth throughout the second frame, featuring three tie scores and three lead changes.The Chargers struggled to capitalize on scoring points off five Adelphi turnovers in the quarter, but by the end of the half Dominican took a two point lead into the locker room, 32-30.
To start the third quarter, the Chargers jumped out to a four point lead. Following an O'Connell three, Ascencio drilled two free-throws to bring the 'Cats within a point. On the next possession, a Christina Sanchez steal led to yet another O'Connell three but this time giving Adelphi the lead. After a series of buckets from seniors Roland Robinson, Victoria Morgan and freshman Gamilia Betton, the Panthers capped a 20 point quarter with a six point lead heading into the final frame.
Dominican's Tanasha Mills came alive in the fourth by pouring in nine of her 24 points during the final frame, all from the charity stripe. The Chargers proceeded to outscore the Brown and Gold in the fourth quarter, 22-12. Their defense only allowed four points in the paint in the final frame, shutting down the Adelphi offense in the process. However, the Panthers would not go down without a fight. Rolanda Robinson hit a key three pointer to bring the game to a 57-57 deadlock. After a series of free throws by Mills, time slowly began to run away from the Panthers. Dominican hit all nine of their free-throw attempts and went 15-18 from the line throughout the final frame, bringing the score to a 66-62 final.
O'Connell finished with a line of 19 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Ascensio finished with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Freshman Betton and Madison Williams made their collegiate debuts in the contest. Betton finished with eight points and eight rebounds, while Williams grabbed two boards to boot.
The Panthers are back in action tomorrow at Caldwell University to take on the Cougars. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. on the CACC Network.
