Caldwell, N.J. — The Adelphi University women's basketball team traveled to Caldwell early Saturday morning to participate in their second game of the CACC/NE10 Conference Challenge Tournament. After losing their season opener to Dominican University, the Panthers were able to turn the page in a gutsy win over the Cougars with a final score of 61-55. Isabella Ascencio led the way en route to the Brown and Gold's first win of the season

Caldwell got off to a fast start in this one as Jah'Nel Lewis came out scoring nine points in the 1st quarter, converting on a pair of threes to lead the way. Adelphi came out slow in the first 10 minutes, shooting just 3-16 from the field. Madison Williams chipped in five points, and at the end of the first the 'Cats were trailing 16-8.

In the second quarter we saw Adelphi fight to get back into the game behind stellar defense. The Panthers allowed just five points the whole quarter, recording three steals and a block while forcing seven turnovers. Adelphi was able to cut the lead to just two points heading into the half, Caldwell 21, Adelphi 19.

Coming out of the half, the Brown and Gold's offense came alive, as Asencio had nine points and an assist in the quarter. The Panthers got the job done on both sides of the ball, as a team Adelphi had five steals, with Christina Sanchez showing her two-way potential having two steals and four points in the quarter. After being down being down as many as eight early in the first quarter, the Panthers led by three heading into the final period.

After being held in check for most of the game, the three-point shooting came alive in the fourth for the 'Cats when they needed it most. Connecting on three combined triples from seniors Kaitlyn O'Connell and Rolanda Robinson, the offense scored 23 points in the fourth. After gaining an eight point lead with just over a minute left to play, the Cougars made things interesting cutting the lead back down to three. Clutch free throw shooting down the stretch by Ascencio and Lauren Beberman would put the 'Cats back up six. That would be enough for Adelphi to bring home its first win of the season.

Ascensio lead Adelphi with 18 points, while also recording four rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Robinson flirted with a double-double tallying 11 points and nine rebounds. O'Connell totaled nine points of her own, and played 39 of 40 minutes in the contest.

The Brown and Gold had seven less turnovers than Caldwell. The Panthers capitalized off of the Cougar mistakes, scoring 22 points off of turnovers. 42 points in the second half would make the perfect recipe for success.

The Panthers are back in action Wednesday, November 13th at the Center for Recreation and Sport against Felecian University. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM on FloCollege.