ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Jan. 14, 2017) – An and-one from senior Mike Guzzardi (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) with five-tenths of a second left on the clock sent Quealy Gymnasium into a roar as the Lions defeated Daemen College by a score of 78-75.

The game started off with both teams going back and forth throughout the first few minutes. Back to back threes and a jumper by senior Charlie Marquardt (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) put Molloy up 10-9. However, Daemen would battle back, and a three-pointer by Arif Mehmetaj (Jamaica, N.Y.) pushed the Wildcats ahead 26-25 with 7:40 left in the half. The Lions followed up with a 14-2 run, featuring five points from Marquardt and six from senior Jaylen Morris (Amherst, N.Y.). Molloy went into the half up 10 leading 44-34.

The second half started off with a layup from Guzzardi, but the Wildcats quickly stormed back thanks to three makes from behind the arc by Jeff Redband (Batavia, N.Y.), Supreme Hannah (Rochester, N.Y.), and Mehmetaj. A layup from Jaleo Wilkes gave the Wildcats their first lead since early in the first half, sending the score to 55-54. From there, both teams sunk field goals, but neither could keep a lead for very long. A three-pointer from Redband pushed Daemen ahead 65-58 with just under eight minutes to play.

The maroon and white battled back, coming within one point on a layup from Joshua Dennis (Valley Stream, N.Y.). A timely steal and slam dunk from sophomore Curtis Jenkins (Farmingdale, N.Y.) pushed the Lions ahead 75-74. However, the officials called Jenkins for a technical on the play, deeming the guard hung on the rim too long. Mehmetaj was sent to the line for the Wildcats, and the senior sunk the attempt to tie the game 75-75 with 1:35 on the clock. Over a minute would pass with neither team able to earn a bucket. Jenkins pulled down a critical defensive rebound with 30 seconds remaining. Following a timeout, Morris put up a jumper. The ball circled the rim before falling into the arms of Guzzardi, who pushed the rock back to the rim and into the net as the buzzer sounded. The officials declared that Guzzardi not only got the shot off in time, but was fouled on the play. With five-tenths of a second on the clock, the senior was sent to the line. The center made his foul shot, putting Molloy up 78.75. The Wildcats were unable to get a clean inbound, and the clock expired, sealing the victory for the maroon and white.

As a team, the Lions dominated with a 42-26 advantage in the paint. Marquardt led the way, totaling 23 points after going 8-of-12 (66.6%) from the field and 4-of-7 (51.7%) from behind the arc. Just behind him, Morris earned a double-double on 22 points and 12 rebounds, 11 of which were defensive. Guzzardi rounded out the Lions' top scorers with 11 points on the day, including going 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. The Lions improve to 9-5 on the season and 5-3 in conference play, while the loss sent Daemen to 10-6 (4-4 ECC).
 
Molloy will face LIU Post in Brookville, N.Y. on Wednesday (Jan. 18) at 7:30 p.m.