This Wednesday night, the gym was packed for 3.0 night at Adelphi University’s Center for Recreation and Sports. The Panthers snapped their 4-game winning streak, dropping an overtime contest to the Pace University Setters, with a score of 87-83. The Panthers were unable to hang on to a 42-27 lead at half, lowering their record to 18-8.
The second half was the defining portion of the game, with Pace returning from the locker room with a vengeance. The Setters kicked off the third quarter with a 14-4 run, pulling them within five points of the Panthers. Following a big Panthers three pointer by Forward Chris Coalmon, Pace quickly responded with a 7-1 run. Tying it up on a Peyton Wejnert 2-pointer.
Adelphi came out of the gates ready to play in the first half, taking an 11-2 lead just three and a half minutes into the first quarter. This was a lead that never relinquished until the second half. Adelphi’s early hot offense aided them in maintaining a 10+ point lead for a majority of the first two quarters. Adelphi went into halftime with a lead of 42-27.
Panthers Guard, Austin Beech recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. “In the second half, I think we really came out flat. We didn’t have the same energy on defense that we had in the first half.” said Coalmon, who fell just short of a double-double of his own with 13 points and 9 assists. Spencer Foley also put up a 20-point performance.
Pace outscored Adelphi in the second half 43-28, led by Wejnert’s 31-point performance. He was backed by Tyrone Cohen, who scored 21 points on timely three pointers. He went 5-9 from behind the three-point line. A three pointer by Setters Brandon Jacobs tied the game at 70, sending it to overtime, where Pace’s offense took hold and never let go. Winning the game with a final score of 87-83.
The difference was Adelphi’s inability to hold onto the ball. “They really hurt us on the offensive glass. We were on the guys for the last few days, ‘you have to rebound the ball, you have to rebound the ball.’, but they had 20 offensive rebounds and that really hurt us.” said Panthers Head Coach Dave Duke. This allowed Pace to score 17 second-chance points, which proved to be the difference.
Adelphi will look to bounce back this Saturday, February 22 when they travel to New Haven, Connecticut, to take on the 11-13 New Haven Chargers.
Troy's Sports Blog 