Garden City, N.Y. — Head coach Dave Duke and the #1 seeded Adelphi men's basketball team played host to the #5 seeded Pace Setters on Wednesday night in the Northeast-10 semifinal.
In front of a packed Center for Recreation and Sport, the two New York foes got off to a hot start. Both teams were able to match the other's baskets in the first six minutes, neither gaining a lead larger than one.
Tavin Pierre Philippe, coming off of a 26-point quarterfinal performance, hit a big three to get the Panther crowd on its feet, but the Setters were able to not let the atmosphere get to them as they quickly flipped the script and gained a lead themselves.
That did not last long however, as Adelphi came right back thanks to a Mason Jackson three and Andres Fulgencio floater. The Panther lead grew to seven with 6:34 remaining in the half after another Jackson three and Adelphi held its lead for the remainder of the half, going into the break up 35-30.
The second half played more in Pace's favor as the game had been completely slowed down. The 'Cats jumped out to an eight point lead early in the period, but Pace tied the game up four minutes later and the slugfest was on. The semifinal went back and forth with neither team able to grab a lead larger than four.
Adelphi held a four point lead with 4:49 remaining but a 5-0 Setter run swung the game in the other direction. With 55 seconds left, Fulgencio drilled a clutch three ball to fire up the CRS, but it was not meant to be the dagger as Pace came right down the court to tie the game on the next possession.
The Setters had the ball in the hands of Tray Alexander, the NE10 player of the year's hands, for the final shot but a block from Jarnel Rancy set the game to overtime.
In the extra frame, Pace jumped out to an early lead after a pair of free throws and would not give it up. The turnover bug plagued the Panthers as they fell, 72-68.
Fulgencio had a team-high 15 points followed by Pierre Philippe with 14
Ranch grabbed a career-high 14 boards in the game.
The Panthers now await their fate for the NCAA Tournament. The selection show will be aired at 11 p.m. on Sunday.
