Simply Unstoppable

by Tony Zachariadis

Adelphi, ranked No. 1 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Bulletin poll for the second straight week, is one win away from tying the school record for wins. The 1995-96 and 1999-2000 teams each won 23 games.

Senior point guard Ryan McCormack, had 18 points as No 1 nationally ranked Adelphi University, the only undefeated team in NCAA men's basketball, held on to defeat Mercy College, 90-82, February 10 at Westchester Community College in a New York Collegiate Athletic Conference

The game was decided on the free-throw line as the referees whistled 57 fouls, 35 on Mercy (7-11, 6-10). The Panthers attempted more foul shots (53) than field goals (51). Adelphi went 39-for-53 from the line (73.6 percent), including 13-for-16 over the final 4:06. The Panthers led 60-59 as a result of a 7-0 run early in the second half. Junior forward Kendell Craig, had five of his 16 points during the spurt. The Flyers (7-11, 6-10) cut the lead to one, 75-74, on a lay-up by senior guard Darnell Barbot with 4:23 left. Adelphi scored the next eight points over a three-minute period to build an 83-74 lead. McCormack and junior forward Eddie Willams, each had four points during the run.

The Panthers next game against Queens College resulted in a 78 ? 53 Adelphi victory. Craig, had 18 points. Williams, totaled 12 points and eight rebounds. The Panthers led by as many as 19 in the first half and extended that margin to 24 points, 51-27, as part of an 18-3 run to start the second half. Craig had 10 points, including two three-pointers during the spurt.

February 3 marked the day top-ranked Adelphi University became the last remaining undefeated team in NCAA men's basketball by defeating Southampton College, 106-64.

The Panthers were able to move from second to first in the NABC/Division II Bulletin poll Jan. 29. Junior forward Eddie Williams, had his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. McCormack, a preseason All-American and Division II National Player of the Year candidate, totaled 12 points and eight rebounds. Junior Richie Edwards, had 11 points and sophomore reserve forward Wayne Nelson had 10. Adelphi started the second half on a 23-8 run to build a 31-point advantage. The lead grew as high as 36, 89-53, in the final two minutes. The bench began to empty with six minutes remaining. There was a thunderous applause from a near-capacity crowd as junior forward Adam Pashko, scored his first career points on reverse lay-up with 2:10 left and less than a minute later blocked a shot.

Craig, had a game-high 23 points as the No. 1 nationally ranked Adelphi University men's basketball team defeated Concordia College, 89-56, in a NYCAC game at Woodruff Hall January 31.

Editors note: Adelphi defeated CW Post on Wednesday, February 14, 85-72.