GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (Dec. 1, 2016) - After being down as much as 22 points, the Molloy Lions men's basketball team rallied to a thrilling 109-102 overtime win against regional foe Adelphi University. The Lions improved to 3-4 on the season, and snapped a four-game winning streak for the Panthers, who fell to 6-2 on the year. 

The Panthers got on the board first from a three-pointer by Manny Suarez (Cliffside Park, N.J.), but Molloy responded a few seconds later with a layup from Josh Dennis (Valley Stream, N.Y.). The score see-sawed back and forth, until Adelphi soared to an 11-point run to go up 20-10 with just under 13 minutes left in the opening half. A jumper from Jaylen Morris (Amherst, N.Y.) cut the lead to eight, but the Panthers followed up with 10 consecutive points to go up 30-12. With just over six minutes left in the first half, the Lions found themselves in a 22-point hole. Consecutive baskets from senior Charlie Marquardt (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) began to spark a comeback for the Lions. The Panthers' Jack Laffey (Red Bank, N.J.) brought Adelphi's lead back up to 20, but the final minutes of the opening half belonged to Molloy. Scores from Morris, Marquardt, and Mike Guzzardi (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) cut the score to 48-38 Adelphi as the teams went into the half. 

In the second half, the Lions continued to chip away at Adelphi's lead, but the Panthers' offense continued at full speed. Eight consecutive points from Marquardt and a three-pointer from Curtis Jenkins (Farmingdale, N.Y.) brought Molloy within eight points with 4:54 remaining in the second frame. A layup from Conor McGuinness (New City, N.Y.) put the score back to 80-70 Adelphi, but Marquardt sunk another three, refusing to allow the Panthers to gain much distance. Suarez was sent to the line for Adelphi, making both of his shots to send the score to 82-73. The maroon and white continued to put up shots, scoring the contest's next seven points, coming within two points of the Panthers. Suarez, who was unstoppable from the foul line, nailed two more attempts; but field goals from Morris and Mike Torre (Massapequa, N.Y.) tied the score at 84 with under two minutes remaining in regulation. The Lions gained just their second advantage of the evening on a free throw from Marquardt, but two more foul shots from Saurez put the one-point advantage back in favor of Adelphi. With one minute left, Torre nailed a three-pointer to put Molloy up by two points. The final seconds began to wind down, and the Lions' comeback seemed to be complete. With 30 seconds remaining, Saurez was once again sent to the line with his team down by two. The junior sunk both attempts to tie the score and send the game to an extra frame. 

Momentum and confidence in their favor, Molloy got off to an early lead in the over time period on field goals from Marquardt, Morris, and Torre. Another pair of made foul shots, this time by Laffey, cut the lead to 94-93 Molloy. Jenkins, Saurez, and Nick Corbett (Staten Island, N.Y.) all exchanged field goals, and the Lions found themselves up three with 1:56 left in the game. Saurez once again found himself on the foul line for Adelphi and sunk both baskets to bring the Panthers within one point. Jenkins and Torre combined for five points to put Molloy up 103-97. Adelphi yet again made the most of their foul shot attempts, coming within four points with 42 seconds on the clock. Pressed for time, the Panthers had no choice but to foul. The Lions sunk all six of their free throws in the game's final 30 seconds to earn the 109-102 win.

The maroon and white were led by a 33-point night from Marquardt. The guard shot 65% from the field and went 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Morris earned his second consecutive double-double, posting 27 points 11 defensive rebounds. Guzzardi (15), Jenkins (13), and Torre (12) all finished with double-digit point totals as well. Torre led all scorers in the overtime period, putting up a third of Molloy's overtime points. As a team, the Lions scored an impressive 25 points off turnovers, as Jenkins and Morris each nabbed 4 steals in the effort. The maroon and white also scored 20 points off the fast break as compared to four from the Panthers. Suarez and Michael Coffey (Monroe, N.Y.) each totaled 32 points for Adelphi. Saurez's 17 rebounds earned him the double-double. As a team, the Panthers totaled a free throw percentage of 92.3%, missing just two attempts on the night. 

Molloy will return to the court on Saturday (Dec. 3) as they welcome Saint Thomas Aquinas for their first conference matchup of the season. The teams are set to tip-off at 12:00 p.m. in Quealy Gymnasium.