ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Nov. 27, 2016) – Molloy's women's basketball team concluded their weekend with a win, defeating Southern New Hampshire University by a score of 68-58. Aliyah McDonald (Hempstead, N.Y.) opened the scoring for Molloy, sinking a basket just eight seconds into the contest. A three-pointer by Kamala Thompson (Selden, N.Y.) extended the Lions' lead to five. The Penmen got on the board a few seconds later on a jump shot by Olivia Conrad (Hanover, Mass.). The maroon and white continued the first quarter scoring eight unanswered points, bringing the score to 13-2 with just under three minutes remaining. Southern New Hampshire closed the quarter trying to bridge the gap, scoring 10 points in the final minutes, sending the first frame to a close with Molloy leading 19-12.

The teams battled in the opening minutes of the second quarter, but Molloy was able to extend their lead on a three-pointer from Ihnacinse Grady (Amityville, N.Y.) and a jumper from Symone Kelly (Wyandanch, N.Y.). Field goals from Aaliyah Paxton (Hainseport, N.J.) and Kylie Lorenzen (Holliston, Mass.) cut the lead to 24-16 in favor of the Lions. Kelly would score six of the next eight of Molloy's points, but the Penmen rallied to trail by only five as the teams headed to the locker room.

Southern New Hampshire opened the third stanza with a quick three points, but foul shots by Kelly kept Molloy ahead by four. Both teams exchanged scores, until Kelly and McDonald combined on field goals to give the Lions an eight point lead. As the third quarter came to a close, however, the Penmen began to rally again, getting to within three on a jumper by Jennifer Shelp (Apalachin, N.Y.). For the Lions, Kelly once again posted points to extend the lead back to 46-40 as the teams headed into the final quarter.

A quick layup from Shantana Kanhoye (South Richmond Hill, N.Y.) extended Molloy's lead to eight points. Kelly, Sara Ryan (Quincy, Mass.) and Brianna Camara (Fall River, Mass.) combined to post nine of the game's next 13 points to cut Molloy's advantage to 52-49 with only six minutes remaining. However, the maroon and white followed with a 10-2 run of their own to extend their lead to 11 points with just over three minutes left in the game. Free throws from Conrad, Camara, and a layup from Ryan brought Southern New Hampshire back within four points, but Kanhoye and McDonald put up the game's final six points to seal the 68-58 win for Molloy.

Kelly led the game's scoring, as she went 58% from the field and 6-9 from the charity stripe. The graduate student earned a double-double after posting 20 points and pulling down 10 boards. The Lions were supported by Thompson, McDonald, and Grady who scored 14, 13, and 12 points, respectively. As a team, the maroon and white shot nearly 41% from the field, and made over half of their foul shot attempts. Southern New Hampshire was led by 14 points from Lorenzen, who went 6-6 on her free throw attempts, contributing to the teams 85% effort from the line on the day. Molloy improves to 6-1 on the season with the win, while the loss drops the Penmen to 3-3.

The Lions next head to local rival Adelphi University on Wednesday (Nov. 30) at 7:00 p.m. for a battle with the Panthers.