PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (Dec. 2, 2016) – In another regional matchup, the Molloy women's basketball team pulled out a 60-53 win over Pace University in a matinee game on Friday (Dec. 2). The win brings the Lions to 7-2 on the season, while the Setters fall to 4-4 with the loss.
Aliyah McDonald (Hempstead, N.Y.) and
Ihnacinse Grady (Amityville, N.Y.) put points on the board early for Molloy, sinking a jumper and three-point shot in the first minute of the game. The Setters came within one point on consecutive field goals from Gabriella Rubin (Staten Island, N.Y.), but a three-pointer from
Kathryn Gibson (Neponsit, N.Y.) quickly put the Lions back up. The teams continued to battle through the first quarter, with the score favoring the Lions 15-11. Another field goal from Rubin, combined with foul shots from Aurella Cammock (Brooklyn, N.Y.)tied the score at 15 with 8:49 left in the half. The Setters would put up an additional four points, but it was not enough to overcome a nine-point second quarter from Molloy's
Kamala Thompson (Selden, N.Y.). The teams headed into the half with Molloy up 24-19.
The Lions' run continued into the third quarter, as
Symone Kelly (Wyandanch, N.Y.) put up a layup and made free throw. Grady extended Molloy's lead to 29-19 with a layup of her own at the 8:37 mark. A foul shot from Rubin sparked Pace to a seven-point run, but six points from Thompson and
Jessica Kalbfleisch (Ridge, N.Y.) put the Lions up 35-29 with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. The Setters, however, worked the score back down, coming to within one point on a jumper from Alexandra Monteleone (Cold Spring, N.Y.). McDonald put together two layups in the final minute of the quarter to give Molloy a five point lead heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter began with a three-point shot from Jaclyn Oskam (Glenmont, N.Y.). The Setters continually tried to gain an advantage, but the Lions' defense held strong in the final frame, not allowing Pace to go ahead by more than a single point. McDonald and Thompson combined for a nine-point run, putting Molloy up by eight points with 1:26 left on the game clock. A three-pointer from Monteleone brought Pace to within five, but a pair of foul shots from McDonald sealed the 60-53 win in favor of the Lions.
The maroon and white were led by a 21-point effort from Thompson, who went 7-of-16 from the field and missed only one foul shot attempt. McDonald also finished in double-digits for the Lions, totaling 13 points, while Kelly pulled down a game-high 12 boards.
Molloy returns to action on Wednesday (Dec. 7) as they face Queens College in the first half of a double-header. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Quealy Gymnasium.
Molloy Athletics will be holding a toy drive to benefit the Jon Theissen Children's Foundation. Fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy will receive free admission to the game!
