Box Score NYACK, N.Y. (Jan. 18, 2014) - With a strong 24 points today in the Molloy College men's basketball team's 84-78 victory over Nyack College, senior forward
John Petrucelli (Hicksville, N.Y.) became the top scorer in program history. His current total of 1,691 points surpassed Kenneth Francis' career total of 1,685 (1992-95). Petrucelli achieved this tremendous feat with 13 regular season games remaining in the current campaign.
With the win, the Lions improved to 8-7 overall, while the Warriors fell to 6-10 on the season.
Molloy outscored its opponent in the opening half, 42-34. The Lions shot 51.6% from the floor (16-for-31), including going 3-for-5 from downtown. The Lions' largest lead of the first half was 16 points (37-21 with 5:40 left). After the 10:00 mark, the closest the Warriors were able to get to a tied score was a five-point deficit. The Lions' lead fluctuated throughout the entire first stanza, but they were able to head into the intermission with an eight-point advantage.
Fortunately, the Lions were able to build up a lead in the first half, because the two clubs mirrored each other in the second period. Molloy shot 39.4% from field goal range, while the Warriors went 13-for-34, which was good for a 38.2% shooting clip. Nyack scored 44 points to Molloy's 42. While Molloy senior center
Tyler Hammett (Clifton Park, N.Y.) only had three points in the first half, he excelled in the second stanza. Hammett put up 15 points and grabbed six rebounds.
For Molloy, Petrucelli led the game (24 points) and now leads the Molloy men's basketball all-time program scoring list (1,691 points). He added five rebounds, one assist, one block and four steals. Hammett and junior guard
Matt McLeod (Greenlawn, N.Y.) had 18 points each, while sophomore guard
Brandon Williams (Baldwin, N.Y.) racked up nine points. Hammett notched a double-double with 13 rebounds; he also blocked a trio of Warrior shots.
For Nyack, Nick Moore scored 22 points and grabbed 12 boards, while Chris Hampton netted 19 points. Khalid Samuels and Ezra Gaines had 13 and 11 points, respectively.
HAMMETT'S HOUSE: The Clifton Park native recorded a new career-high in points today with 18...his 13 rebounds came one short of tying his career-high...Hammett brought down 14 boards on 2/27/13 against the University of Bridgeport.
UP NEXT: Head Coach
Charles Marquardt and the Lions return to action on Wednesday, January 22 when they host East Coast Conference-opponent LIU Post (11-5 overall, 6-2 ECC). The Lions are a 1/2 game behind the Pioneers in the ECC standings. All the action is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. from Quealy Gymnasium.
TUNE IN: If you can't attend the game, the Lions Sports Network will carry all the action on www.MolloyLions.com. Tune in at 7:15 p.m. for the pre-game show. In addition to the audio and video broadcast, LiveStats will be available.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: @MolloyLions | Facebook: Molloy College Athletics | YouTube: Molloy Lions
