ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Dec. 5, 2016) – Senior
Mike Guzzardi (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) posted 21 points in Molloy's 85-78 loss to Southern Connecticut State University on Monday (Dec. 5).
The Lions got off to an early 8-4 lead following two three-pointers from
Charlie Marquardt (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) and a layup from Guzzardi. The Owls went ahead 18-10 on a 14-point run. The teams battled back and forth for much of the remainder of the first half, with the Owls going up by as much as 13 on a dunk from Michael Mallory (Waterbury, Conn.). The maroon and white responded with eight points of their own from
Jaylen Morris (Amherst, N.Y.),
Nick Corbett (Staten Island, N.Y.), and Guzzardi. The rally would fall short, however, and the Owls would head into the break with a 55-46 lead.
The teams traded blows early in the second half, with Molloy cutting the lead to only six points on a three-pointer from Guzzardi and a jumper from Morris. The Owls, however, refused to let the Lions gain much ground, and quickly went up 74-60 with 11 minutes left in the contest.
Curtis Jenkins (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Marquardt and Morris combined for 12 points to bring the score to 75-72 with just fewer than five minutes to go. A three-pointer from Isaiah McLeod (Cambridge, Mass.) put the deficit back to six points, but Morris sunk two quick layups to bring Molloy within two points. A pair of field goals from Jerry Luckett, Jr. (Milwaukee, Wisc.) and three made free throws from Joey Wallace (Rochester, N.Y.) sealed the 85-78 win for Southern Connecticut State.
Guzzardi was supported by 16 points from Morris and Marquardt as well as 11 from Jenkins and 10 from Corbett. Morris also led the team under the boards, pulling down eight rebounds. Corbett and Morris combined for six of the Lions' seven steals. Mallory led the scoring for the Owls with 25 points, while Luckett Jr. added a double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 boards.
Molloy will return to the court on Wednesday (Dec. 7) as they welcome Queens College to Quealy Gymnasium. Molloy Athletics will be offering free admission to the game for fans arriving with a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the John Theissen Children's Foundation. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
