OAKDALE, N.Y.-  The Dowling College men’s basketball team closed out 2014 with a 92-78 non-conference win over Adelphi University this afternoon at Dowling Gymnasium.  The Golden Lions improve to 5-6 on the season as the Panthers drop to 4-6.
 
Senior Darien Davis knocked down a season high 37 points pairing them with seven rebounds and three assists.  Sophomore Ryan Hickey finished in double figures with 11 points with three assists.  Senior Jerrell Harris came off the bench adding 11 points.
 
Adelphi’s scoring was spread out with five Panthers finishing in double digits with Duane Morgan leading the way with a double double of 23 points and 11 rebounds.  Ryan DeNicola recorded a double double of his own 15 points and 12 boards.  AU’s Michael Coffey poured in 15 points while Damon Coleman and Anthony Librola adding 10 points apiece.
 
The Golden Lions jumped to an early 17-7 lead just four minutes into the game.  AU came back with six unanswered closing the gap to just four, 17-13.    Both teams traded baskets over the several minutes until the Panthers put together a 16-4 streak capped by two free throws rom Coffey to take their first lead of the night 35-34 with just over four minutes left in the half.   Davis answered with five straight points putting the Golden Lions back on top where they would stay for the remainder of the half and go into the break leading 49-41.
 
Adelphi opened the second frame with back to back three-pointers from Coleman and Coffey to inch back within two, 49-47.   Dowling’s Hickey then sparked an 11-0 run spanned three minutes of play pushing their lead back up to 13, 60-47.   The Golden Lions maintained a double digit lead extending their margin to as many as 19 points with just over 2 minutes on the clock as they cruised to a 92-78 win.
 
The Golden Lions finished shooting 50% from the field, 35 of 70, while holding the Panthers to 41.4%. 
 
Dowling returns to action as they travel to Daemen College Friday, January 9^th.  Tip off is set for 8:00 PM.