Garden City, N.Y. - Despite a strong second half of play, the Adelphi University women's basketball team dropped its contest against Virginia Union University on Saturday afternoon, by a final score of 57-52.

With a reinvigorated offense after a strong third quarter, the final ten minutes would prove to sway multiple times in each direction. A layup from sophomore Lauren Beberman gave the 'Cats their first lead of the day at 7:05 remaining. Down the stretch, Gamila Betton would take advantage of her size in the paint, giving Adelphi another another crucial lead with three and a half minutes to spare.

Virginia Union freshman Maia Charles would take control from there, scoring seven of her eventual 18 consecutively for the visitors, giving the Maroon and Gray a five-point upper edge with under a minute on the clock. While a deep shot from Rolanda Robinson trimmed the separation down to one possession, the free throw game would air in favor of the road team, later sealing the five point win. 

In a match-up of the Lady Panthers and Panthers, the visitors got off to a hot start, scoring 11 of the game's first 16. Serial threat from deep Kaitlyn O'Connell kept the Brown and Gold in the fight, scoring the first six of eight for the hosts. Virginia Union would capitalize on their 46% shooting clip to the 'Cats 27%, ending the frame with a seven-point advantage. 

Shooting became even more of a woe for Adelphi in the following 10 minutes, only able to up their point total through six free throws initially. With the deficit now nine, Victoria Morgan broke the field goal drought for the home team with a minute to play, heading into the break with six points of her own. Beberman and O'Connell would lock down the perimeter, combining for five first-half steals. 

It was the third quarter where the Panthers came roaring back, eventually winning the pivotal frame 19-9. Virginia Union felt the shooting woes that once plagued Adelphi throughout the third, shooting 2/13 and 0/2 from three-point range. Even with another slow start, the Brown and Gold would utilize a stretch of 2:38 with 11 points scored either from Morgan or Christina Sanchez to cut the lead to five and insert themselves right back into the competition. 

Two free throws from the stripe coming from Beberman tied the game at 38-all with just over a minute to play in the third, the first tie for Adelphi since 5-5 in the first quarter. 

Adelphi would finish with 14 combined steals on the Lady Panthers' 25 combined turnovers. Beberman led the way with four of her own, while Betton blocked four attempts, a new season-high for the freshman. 

Head Coach Sade Jackson and the Panthers will be back in action one week from today on Saturday, December 14 against Saint Anselm College. Tip-off time from the Center for Recreation & Sport is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.