WALTHAM, MASS. (Dec. 31, 2016) – The Molloy College women's basketball team took their first lead of the second half on a layup from
Symone Kelly (Wyandanch, N.Y.) with 2.5 seconds left on the game clock. That lead, however, would stand and allow Molloy to close out 2016 with a 56-55 win over No. 12 Bentley University. Kelly led the maroon and white with 14 points and eight rebounds. Graduate student
Kamala Thompson (Selden, N.Y.) and
Ihnacinse Grady (Amityville, N.Y.) also finished with double-digit point totals, accumulating 12 and 11 points, respectively. Molloy improved to 10-4 on the season as they close out non-league play, while the loss brought Bentley to 10-3 on the year.
In a highly defensive game, both teams spent the first two quarters trying to establish a sustainable lead. Neither, however, would be successful. The opening frame ended with the score tied 14-14, despite Bentley scoring the contest's first six points. In the second, each team tacked on eight points leaving the score deadlocked at 22-22 at halftime.The third frame opened on an 11-3 run by the Falcons, but timely layups from Kelly,
Aliyah McDonald (Hempstead, N.Y.), and
McKayla Hernandez (Windermere, Fla.) kept the Lions within striking distance. Bentley opened the score up to set the deficit to nine points with one minute remaining in the quarter when Thompson sunk a three-pointer to come within six. A layup from Monica Viapiano (Holden, Mass.) put Bentley up 44-36 as the teams headed into the final quarter.
Six points from Thompson, Kelly, and
Jessica Kalbfleisch (Ridge, N.Y.) tied the contest at 51-51 with less than three minutes to play. Bentley attempted to once again pull away with consecutive baskets from Jen Gemma (Milton, Mass.) and Macchi Smith(Los Angeles, Calif.), but a foul shot from Thompson paired with a layup from
Shantana Kanhoye (South Richmond Hill, N.Y.) brought Molloy within one point with 41 seconds left. Kelly pulled down a critical offensive rebound and sent the ball through the net to seal the win in favor of the Lions.
Molloy once again capitalized on their opportunities, scoring 11 points off of Bentley turnovers and an additional 14 via second chance opportunities.
The Lions conclude a stretch of road games with a trip to New York Institute of Technology on Wednesday (Jan. 4) at 5:00 p.m.
