Garden City, N.Y. — Head coach Dave Duke and the top-seeded Adelphi basketball team hosted #9 Saint Michael's in the Northeast-10 quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon. 

The game got off to a blistering start with both the Panthers and Purple Knights pushing the ball down the floor and knocking down shots. The game was within one at the 12:24 mark of the half, but the 'Cats rattled off a 9-0 run to gain a 10 point lead. 

Adelphi held the double digit margin for about three minutes before the Purple Knights battled back and whittled the margin all the way down to four. A see-saw battle had begun and every Panther bucket saw a response. Saint Michael's got in a groove towards the end of the half and went on a 10-2 run in the final three minutes of the period to go into the break up 45-41. 

The second half was a different story to the first as the pace was completely slowed.  Adelphi tied the game back up at 45 off of a slam from Jarnel Rancy. Seconds later, solid defense led to a Fulgencio board, who was then fouled. The guard stood to his feet and pumped to the crowd to get them back into the game. 

At the 15 minute mark, Adelphi let by four after a three ball from Tavin Pierre Philippe and a pair of Rancy free throws, but Saint Mike's continued to play pesky basketball. 

The Purple Knights were hot from three and their zone defense caused the Panthers shooting woes. Saint Michael's regained a four point lead, but the slower pace kept Adelphi in the game. 

Fulgencio hit a big time triple to cut the lead to one with just over five minutes left and then it was crunch time for the 'Cats. 

At 4:03, Pierre Philippe tied the game up at 68 with a jumper. The Purple Knights took back the lead on the next possession, but going back the other way Pierre Philippe drilled a three to go up 71-70 and the CRS was rocking. Dayshaun Walton then forced a Saint Mike's turnover and got fouled going to the hoop. He made both free throws, giving Adelphi a three point lead and all of the momentum in the ballgame. 

The 'Cats buckled down, stopping the Purple Knights three-point barrage and were able to hit timely shots when they needed. A Rancy putback dunk and a pair of Pierre Philippe free throws all but sealed the deal as Adelphi moved on to the semifinal with a 85-77 win. 

Pierre Phillipe recorded his third 20+ point game in a row with a game-high 26 points. 

Rancy narrowly missed a triple double, scoring 12 with nine boards and seven assists. 

The Panthers are back in action on Wednesday when they play host #5 Pace at the CRS.