March 3, 2011

Box Score

The No. 7 seeded Adelphi Panthers avenged last season's Northeast-10 Championship loss by downing the #6 River Hawks, 71-60, in the 2011 NE-10 Semifinal in Costello Gymnasium on Thursday night. It marked the first time the Panthers have ever won at UMass Lowell and snapped the River Hawks' six-game streak over Adelphi in the teams' series history.

With the loss, UMass Lowell falls to 20-9 on the year and awaits the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday evening to determine its post-season fate. The River Hawks have made the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons.

Adelphi improves to 19-10 overall and will play in the NE-10 Title Game on Saturday against top-seeded Bentley. This marks the Panthers' second Title Game appearance in as many years, advancing to the finals in both years they have been part of the NE-10 Conference.

"They defended, they guarded us and quite honestly, they had two seniors that just took the game over," said Head Coach Greg Herenda. "[David] Akinyooye and [Richard] Byrd combined for 35 points and Harkins played a great game at point guard. Our inexperience showed tonight, but hats go off to Adelphi. They basically did what we did the other night at Stonehill on Monday."

The River Hawks started on a tear, going up 14-4 just over five minutes into the tilt, thanks to a pair of threes from Matt Welch (Lowell, Mass.) and one apiece from Robbie Walton (South Boston, Mass.) and Romeo Diaz (Methuen, Mass.).

Adelphi stormed back, though, coming straight from a timeout into a 10-2 run to make it a two-point game by the 11 minute mark. The squads were tied at 18 apiece on a four-point play from NE-10 Player of the Week Richard Byrd and Adelphi went on to take its first lead of the game, 22-21, with eight to go in the first.

The Panthers build their lead to six with 2:31 remaining in the first, as UMass Lowell trailed 31-25, but the River Hawks closed the half with another three from Welch and a three point play from freshman Akeem Williams (Brockton, Mass.), to tie it at 31 apiece entering the break.

In the second, Adelphi stretched its lead to 12 with 12 minutes remaining and held UMass Lowell to just two field goals through the first eight minutes of the second stanza. The River Hawks retaliated with an 11-2 run from that point to bring it back within three points, led by four from NE-10 Rookie of the Week Antonio Bivins (Miami, Fla.).

The Panthers would not relinquish their lead, though, holding the River Hawks at bay and holding on for the 71-60 victory and a trip to the championship game.

"We just couldn't penetrate their defense and then they made some unbelievable shots," Herenda said. "It was their night, at the end of the day. It seemed everywhere the ball was, there was one black jersey and another one coming. When that happens, you turn the ball over."

UMass Lowell had an uncharacteristic 17 turnovers while Adelphi grabbed 12 steals and only allowed eight of their own miscues. The Panthers converted that ratio to a 23-12 advantage in points off turnovers.

UMass Lowell owned the 36-31 rebounding advantage, including 10-5 on the offensive glass. They shot 39% in the game, including 40% from behind the arc, while Adelphi went 44% from the floor and 29% from long range.

UMass Lowell was led offensively by Williams with 18 and Welch with 16. Williams also grabbed four rebounds and dished as many assists. Welch, who went 4-8 from behind the arc grabbed six boards on the night.

Diaz had a game-high 12 rebounds, chipping in six points, three assists and a pair of blocks, as well. Junior Robbie Walton (South Boston, Mass.) netted five points and rebounds, dished four assists and swiped three of the River Hawks' four steals.

Adelphi's Byrd had a game-high 20 points, leading four Panthers scoring in double-figures and also led the squad with nine rebounds. Guard Richard Harkins dished 10 assists in addition to his eight points.