Box Score
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – Four members of the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team registered double figures on Wednesday night, but the hosting Panthers of Adelphi University pulled off the upset, defeating the Owls by the final score of 68-65 at the Recreation Center of Sports in Garden City, N.Y.
With the loss, the Owls dropped to 11-14, 8-12 in the Northeast-10 Conference. Adelphi collected its first win in the NE-10, improving to 4-21, 1-19 in the league.
A quick start from the
Camille Fantini (Andover, Mass.) and the Owls was exactly what Southern needed in this one. Fantini's seven points, coupled with baskets from
Shelley Pierson (Watervliet, N.Y.),
Lauren Allen (Sterling Heights, Mich.) and
Logan Lentz (Chambersburg, Pa.) granted the Owls a 16-2 lead through the first 7:24 of action.
Adelphi made a run midway through the half, but a balanced scoring attack kept the Owls in front. Three-point baskets by Lentz and
Alex Fiola (Fall River, Mass.) gave Southern a 42-21 advantage as the two teams headed into the locker rooms at halftime.
The second half proved to tell a completely different story, as a rejuvenated Panthers squad charged out of the locker room. Behind 58.6 percent shooting in the second half, Adelphi chipped away at what seemed to be an insurmountable deficit. Midway through the second half, SCSU's lead was cut in half, 51-39.
Over the course of the next eight minutes, the Panthers inched closer with a 24-12 run, knotting the game up at 63-63. Furthermore, a three-point play granted the Panthers a 66-63 lead with just 51 seconds left in regulation.
On the ensuing possession, Pierson knocked down a lay-up with 36 seconds remaining to cut their deficit to just one point. However, after two free-throws from the Panthers, the Owls were unsuccessful on their final attempt, resulting in their fourth loss in a row.
Pierson led the way with a team-high 14 points on 7-of-13 shooting and hauled in 11 rebounds for the Owls.
Allyson Smith (East Hampton, Conn.) poured in 13 points, while Lentz and Fiola each finished with 12 and 11, respectively.
The Owls return to action on Feb. 21 with an away game against Saint Rose. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Albany, N.Y.
