By Draven Dabrowski
Sports Writer
The No. 2 ranked Owls proved why they sit near the top of the standings, dominating No. 7 ranked Adelphi University 76– 39.
Forward Tish Blackwood, a freshman, made her playoff debut for the university. She set the tone early for the team with her energy on the glass and physical presence inside the paint.
“That’s just Tish,” Head Coach Kate Lynch said. “She does her job every single day, and I am really proud of her.”
With this win, the university improves to 22-5 and will advance to the NE10 Championship Semifinals, where the Owls will host No. 6 Southern New Hampshire University on Thursday, March 5 at James Moore Field House.
Against Adelphi, the Owls did not wait long to take control of the game.
They opened up on a 20-2 run, knocking down shots from the perimeter and forcing Adelphi into tough possessions.
By the time the Panthers were able to find any rhythm, the Owls had already built themselves a comfortable lead.
Guard Taeya Steinauer, a sophomore, led the team offensively with 22 points, connecting on four three pointers and even converting off of a flashy between-the-legs assist.
Steinauer’s performance did not go unnoticed by her teammates. They have come to expect that kind of dominance from her.
“I try to learn off of her. Her work ethic is unbelievable,” Blackwood said. “I am just thankful to have a teammate like her.”
Forward Rheyna Steinauer, a senior, added 10 points of her own, as the Steinauer sisters once again made their presence known.
The first quarter made it clear the game was going the Owl’s way.
The university shot efficiently and moved the ball well, finding open looks early.
Defensively, they did not allow anything to develop, forcing multiple turnovers that quickly turned into scoring opportunities.
By the half, the university had created separation.
The defense continued to pressure the ball and contest shots, limiting Adelphi’s second chance opportunities.
The rebounding advantage, thanks in part to Blackwood, played a major role in preventing the Panthers from making a push before halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Owls did not let up.
Even as the shots stopped falling, the team continued to lean on its defense.
The largest lead of the night came in the fourth quarter, as the university extended the margin to more than 30 points, putting the game out of reach.
Every aspect of the game was in the hands of the Owls.
The fast start was no accident, as the team emphasized its preparation and focus heading into the playoff matchup.
“We came ready to play,” Taeya said. “We got out there, and we did what we had to do.”
They out-rebounded Adelphi and consistently turned defense into offense. No matter who was out on the floor, the team played at a high level, with the bench even stepping up when called upon.
“You gotta bring A+ game every single day, and especially in the playoffs,” Lynch said. “We call it a dog fight. Everyone’s fighting for the same thing.”
