CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's basketball senior Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, N.Y.) scored a season-high 25 points as the Cougars outlasted Adelphi University 78-73 in a non-conference tilt.
 
The Cougars improve to 5-1 overall, while the Panthers drop to 4-2.
 
Caldwell got off to a hot shooting start as they drained 11-of-19 in the opening quarter, including 4-for-6 from long range to build a double digit lead. The Cougars lead by as much as 12 points at 27-15 as they held a 27-17 advantage after the first quarter. Pilla shot 4-for-5 from downtown for 12 points, while sophomore Caroline Dunn (Denville, N.J.) chipped in eight points for the Cougars.
 
The Cougars shooting struggled to find the mark in the second quarter as they connected on two field goals. Caldwell played solid defense as they limited the Panthers to six field goals in the quarter. Adelphi rallied back as they took a two-point lead with 24 seconds to go but junior Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, NY) drained a jumper at the buzzer to tie the score at 32 at halftime.
 
Caldwell heated up from long range in the third quarter as they shot 6-for-12 from downtown in the quarter. Drogsler hit 3-of-6, while Pilla connected on 2-of-5 as the Cougars pulled ahead by as much as 10 points at 58-48 at the 2:04 mark. The Panthers shaved the score down to 60-54 heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
Adelphi converted a pair of three-point plays early in the fourth quarter to pull even at 64 with 6:03 left in the game. Junior Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, Mass.) converted a foul line jumper to put Caldwell back in front as the Cougars stretched their lead to six points at 74-68 with 2:24 on the clock.
 
The Panthers converted a three-point play and added a steal with a basket to slice the score down to one point at 74-73 with just over a minute remaining in the game. The teams traded missed shots and junior Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, Mass.) connected on all four free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.
 
Pilla led the way for the Cougars with 25 points, three boards and two assists. Drogsler nearly missed a double-double effort with 22 points and eight assists. Sanders posted a solid all-around effort with eight points, 11 assists and six steals. Dunn finished with nine points and four rebounds, while junior Maura Kelty (Barrington, R.I.) totaled seven points and six boards. O'Driscoll recorded seven points and four boards.
 
The Cougars are back in action on Wednesday, November 30 as they host Dominican College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game at 5:30 pm at the Newman Center.