BOX SCORE

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (December 17, 2011) - Sophomore guard Terry Hicks (Neptune, N.J.) hit a three-pointer in the final minute of play to give Bloomfield the lead for good in a nip-and-tuck battle Saturday afternoon, as the men's basketball team improved to 7-5 overall with a 68-66 road victory over non-conference opponent Adelphi University in the team's first leg of the Adelphi Holiday Tournament. 

The evenly-matched affair saw 11 ties and 16 lead changes over 40 minutes of play, the sides trading blows from the tilt's opening tip.  Host Adelphi would maintain a slim 35-32 lead heading into the intermission, but the Deacons would remain within striking distance throughout the final 20 minutes of play.  The Panthers held a 65-61 advantage with 2:29 remaining, but a jumper by Matt Wafula (Harlem, N.Y.) cut the lead to a single bucket with 1:27 to go.  

After an Adelphi miss on the following possession, Hicks netted his most important basket of the afternoon, drilling a three off an assist from point guard Ahmad Harris (Linden, N.J.) to put the Deacons up one with 50 ticks to play.  It would be a lead the visitors would not relinquish, as Bloomfield improved to two games over .500 for the first time on the season with a heart-stopping two-point victory. 

Wafula was brilliant in the post for the Deacons, totaling game-highs with 24 points and 16 rebounds in his finest performance of his senior campaign.  Harris notched 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and five steals, while rookie guard Marvin Williams (Jersey City, N.J.) posted 14 points on 6-9 shooting from the field.  Hicks totaled nine points on the day, connecting on a pair of three-point tries. 

Bloomfield returns to action Sunday, December 18 when they conclude their two-game stretch at Adelphi with a non-conference matchup against The College of Saint Rose.  Tip-off for the contest is set for Noon.