Box Score ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Jan. 22, 2015) - Despite Molloy College sophomore forward
Charlie Marquardt (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) being a human highlight reel tonight, the Lions came up just short against the University of Bridgeport, falling 76-73 at Quealy Gymnasium. Marquardt poured in a career-high 29 points and tied the program's single-game record by draining seven three-pointers. With the loss, the Lions slipped to 10-7 overall and 5-4 in the East Coast Conference. With the win, the Purple Knights improved to 12-4 (8-1 ECC).
Molloy held the lead for all but 30 seconds of the opening half. The Lions shot a cool 50% from the floor (19-38), while they sunk four treys -- three by Marquardt. By comparison, Bridgeport only shot 38.2% from field goal range in the first 20 minutes of the game. However, they kept pace with the Lions by hitting 5 of 11 from three-point land (45.5%) and 10 of 12 from the foul line (83.3%). At the intermission, Molloy harbored a 42-41 advantage.
The second half was a different story as the script was flipped and the Lions were playing catch-up. The Lions shot only 33.3% from the field, compared to the Purple Knights' 53.6%. Marquardt's four second-half three-pointers were matched by Bridgeport's Devon Elliott -- who hit two -- and one apiece from Ernest Rouse and Dominique Oneil Moorer.
Bridgeport took the lead immedately at the start of the second stanza and didn't relinquish it until the 8:22 mark. From that point on, the game saw three more scoring ties as well as the Lions grab a brief lead. Down 67-64 with 5:42 left, Marquardt came up big with a game-tying three-ball. Just 24 seconds later, Rouse nailed a bucket from downtown to put Bridgeport back up. However, 12 seconds later, Marquardt sunk another three-pointer sending the crowd into an absolute frenzy. Molloy then grabbed a quick lead on a free throw, but after a few missed shots by the Lions, Bridgeport was able to hold on and leave with a 76-73 victory.
Behind Marquardt's 29, sophomore guard
Jaylen Morris (Amherst, N.Y.) had 15 points, while senior guard
Matt McLeod (Greenlawn, N.Y.) scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Junior point guard
Brandon Williams (Baldwin, N.Y.) had five points, five rebounds and five assists, while junior center
Chucks Obunse (St. Albans, N.Y.) and senior forward
Miles Prendergast (Bayport, N.Y.) combined for five blocks.
SHARPSHOOTING: Marquardt's seven three-pointers tonight tied a program record....It has occured four other times: Jimmy Nolan vs. Bridgeport on 1/11/12....Jimmy Nolan on 11/23/11 vs. Queens...Kyle Dongo vs. NYIT on 1/23/07...and Michael Mooney on 12/14/05 vs. New Haven.
NEXT UP: Head Coach
Charles Marquardt and his troops will play on Saturday, January 24 versus Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN LIONS: Dowling is currently 7-9 overall and 5-4 in the East Coast Conference...Tied for fourth in the league standings with Molloy.
LAST TIME OUT: Last season, Dowling beat Molloy twice by a combined three points...On 12/14/13 in Rockville Centre, the Golden Lions won, 74-73 (
BOX SCORE)...On 2/1/14 in Oakdale, Dowling defeated Molloy, 79-77 (
BOX SCORE).
FOLLOW ALONG & WATCH: Check back here on molloylions.com for links to LiveStats and a video webcast of Saturday's action.
