Box Score ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Feb. 22, 2014) - On Saturday afternoon, the Molloy College men's basketball team bested East Coast Conference-opponent the University of D.C., 90-66 at Quealy Gymnasium. Prior to the game, seniors
Tyler Hammett (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and
John Petrucelli (Hicksville, N.Y.) were honored as they suited up for their final regular season home game as a member of the Lions. The pair followed up their pomp and circumstance with stellar efforts. Hammett recorded 11 points and eight rebounds, while Petrucelli scored a game-high 32 points, to go along with 10 rebounds and two steals. With the win, the Lions improved to 15-10 overall and 12-5 in the ECC, which puts them in third place in the standings. Following the loss, the Firebirds dropped to 3-21 on the year and 1-17 in the league.
The opening five minutes of the game saw four scoring ties. Under the 10-minute mark, Molloy was able to put together a 10-0 run, followed up by a 5-1 spurt. The Lions' lead reached 14 by the end of the first half, sending the teams to the lockerroom with the score, 43-29.
The closest the Firebirds would get to closing in on their hosts was 11 points, although once that mark was hit, Molloy reeled off seven unanswered. A couple of minutes later, the Lions had increased their lead to over 20 and never looked back. Twenty-eight points was the Lions' largest lead of the game (90-62, 1:07 left), which came on a fastbreak slam by junior forward
Richard Zoller (Syosset, N.Y.).
The shooting percentages were pretty even despite the large scoring differential. In the field goal department, Molloy shot 42.0% to UDC's 42.1%, while in the three-point category, UDC shot 27.3% and the Lions notched a clip of 23.1%. Molloy's 80.0% mark from the free throw line was superior to the Firebirds' 65.2%, as was their 50 rebounds, which was 10 more than UDC's.
Junior guard
Matt McLeod (Greenlawn, N.Y.) had a nice game as he netted 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while rookie guard
Jaylen Morris (Amherst, N.Y.) scored 11 points.
For UDC, Lenjo Kilo had 18 points, while Omar Abbas contributed 17. Prince Ritson scored 14 points, while Reggie Sidbury put in 13.
HELPING HEROES: At today's game, maroon "Support Our Troops" t-shirts were sold to fans and guests with all the proceeds going to the Wounder Warrior Project. Both teams warmed up in these t-shirts. A photo of Molloy and UDC wearing them can be seen below. To visit the Wounder Warrior Project's website,
click here.
ANOTHER ACCOLADE: Petrucelli is nearing another record as his 32 points today put him at 600 total for the season -- that ties him with Kenneth Francis, who scored 600 in the 1993-94 season...Earlier this campaign, Petrucelli set the new single-game scoring record (39 points versus Bridgeport on Dec. 11, 2013) and became the new all-time scoring leader at Molloy (currently has 1,919 career points).
UP NEXT: Head Coach
Charles Marquardt and the Lions return to the hardwood on Monday, Feb. 24 when they start a three-game road trip to close out the regular season. On Monday, the Lions will travel to Sparkill, N.Y. to battle St. Thomas Aquinas College. The opening tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. LiveStats and a video webcast will be available through www.MolloyLions.com.
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