Farmingdale Games to air

Sports Radio Network's (WSRN) coverage of New York Collegiate Athletic Conference basketball continues Friday afternoon as the 2003 NYCAC postseason rolls on with semifinal action live from the Pratt Recreation Center on the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y.

Quadrupleheader action begins at noon, with WSRN's webcast, which can be accessed from Sports Radio Network's official website http://www.sportsradionet.com, to get underway at 11:45 a.m. with a 15-minute pre-game show, preceding the first of two women’s semifinal match-ups.

In the opener, Samara Speakes and the fifth-seeded Philadelphia Lady Rams (19-9, 17-8 in NYCAC) face off against Zulmary Andino-Babalonia and the top-seeded Dowling Golden Lions (23-5, 22-3 in NYCAC). Jill Angotta and the third-seeded New Haven Lady Chargers (20-8, 19-6 in NYCAC) meet Josephine Alohan and the second-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas Lady Spartans (21-6, 20-5 in NYCAC) in the second women’s semifinal.

In men’s action, Gordon James - the 2003 NYCAC player-of-the-year – and the third-seeded Bridgeport Purple Knights (22-6, 19-6 in NYCAC) tussle with Wayne Nelson and the second-seeded Adelphi Panthers (21-8, 19-6 in NYCAC), while in the nightcap, Reuben Statam and the top-seeded C.W. Post Pioneers (23-6, 21-4 in NYCAC) challenge Ismael Caro and the fourth-seeded New Haven Chargers (20-8, 18-7 in NYCAC).

The Lady Rams, led by 14th-year head coach Tom Shirley (452-195), pulled off the lone upset in the NYCAC quarterfinals as they won at Adelphi 81-79. Sophomore forward Kiesha King’s jumper with :03 remaining broke a 79-79 tie and proved to be the game winner. Senior Jackie DeMarteleire led Philadelphia with a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds.

The Golden Lions, led by first-year head coach Fran Arato (2003 NYCAC coach of the year), defeated Queens 72-60 in the quarterfinal round to win for the fifth straight time and 15th in their last 16 games. Junior forward Melissa Danchalski sparked a 17-4 second half run as Dowling rallied from a three-point halftime deficit to post the 12-point victory. First team all-NYCAC performer Zulmary Andino paced the Golden Lions with 22 points, while Danchalski and sophomore sharpshooter Laura Mullally added 13 points apiece.

In its recent stretch, Dowling has dominated its opposition, but an 82-68 setback to Philadelphia on Feb. 15 ended an undefeated home season and an 11-game winning streak, which would’ve been a new school mark. Second team all-NYCAC guard Jean-Marie Reilly scored a career-high 31 points to key the Lady Rams’ second half outburst. The Lady Rams outscored the Golden Lions 55-32 in the final 20 minutes to run away with the victory.

Back on Jan. 10, Dowling defeated Philadelphia 88-82, as second team all-NYCAC guard Mary Kacic led five Golden Lions in double figures with 20. The Golden Lions outrebounded the Lady Rams 44-24 in posting their fourth of 10 conference road victories this season.

In the second women’s semifinal, New Haven and St. Thomas Aquinas meet for the third time this season, with both teams able to post home victories.

Back on Feb. 8, the Lady Chargers held the Lady Spartans to four first-half field goals (4-33) in building a 25-13 halftime lead en route to a 56-51 victory. Angotta, a second-team all-conference forward, led the way with a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds, while freshman Amanda Freeman added 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Lady Spartans were able to exact their revenge just 16 days later, as they rallied from a three-point halftime deficit (35-32), outscoring their opposition 43-34 in winning 75-69. Junior forward Rayza Batista led four players in double figures with 19. St Thomas Aquinas hit 23-of-28 free throws (82%) in the victory.

New Haven, led by first-year head coach Mimi Walters, successfully held its home turf in Tuesday’s quarterfinal round, as Angotta (21 points, nine rebounds) and Freeman (17 points, 16 rebounds) disected Southampton’s zone defense in building a 40-26 halftime lead en route to an 84-73 victory. Freshman Cassandra Pelissier and junior Kia Nealy added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
St. Thomas Aquinas, anchored by 18th-year head coach Mike McManus, struggled through a 28% shooting night and an eight-point halftime deficit (26-18) to rally past the New York Institute of Technology 52-43. Sophomore Caitlin Hayes led the Lady Spartans with 14 points, while Alohan – a first-team all conference guard – and Brittney Thomas added 10 points apiece.
In men’s action, Bridgeport and Adelphi will open up the night’s play with a meeting of two of the conference’s elite performers: 2003 NYCAC conference player of the year Gordon James of the Purple Knights and first-team all-conference forward Wayne Nelson of the Panthers.

Both players played prominent roles in their team’s victories during the regular season.

Back on Dec. 26, Nelson tallied 19 points, while teammate Dwayne Thompson led five Panthers in double figues with 20 as Adelphi tore up Bridgeport 93-68 at Woodruff Hall. The Panthers, which dished out 16 assists in the victory, built a 49-33 halftime lead and cruised on in.

The Purple Knights, led by 2003 NYCAC coach of the year Mike Ruane, got their payback less than a month later, as James scored 18 points and corraled 16 rebounds in leading a balanced attack to a 70-67 home win. Senior Sean Mills, a second-team all-conference guard, added 16 in the three-point victory.

CLICK HERE FOR PAGE 2