Rockville Centre, N.Y. (Dec. 30, 2017) – In the team's final contest of 2017, the men's basketball team fell in non-conference action against Pace University, 70-55. In the effort, junior Mike Torre led the Lions with 12 points, going 5-of-14, while adding six rebounds.

Juniors Curtis Jenkins, Chris O'Reilly, and Derrick Okunpolor each added nine points, while redshirt freshman Justin Caldwell pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

The first half saw back-and-forth action, with neither team pulling ahead to a sustained lead until a layup from Luke McLaughlin put the Setters in front, 21-16 with 7:16 to play in the half. Back-to-back triples from sophomores Nick Corbett and Nolan Kelly gave Molloy a one-point advantage, but the visitors regained the lead after two foul shots from Austin Gilbertson and a layup from Peyton Wejnert. At the break, Pace led, 28-27.

The Setters opened the second half on a 16-5 run to take a 12 point advantage in the first five minutes. Molloy spent the frame chipping into the lead, eventually coming within seven, 54-47, following a three-pointer from O'Reilly. The Lions ultimately came within 10 with 90 seconds to play, but Pace scored the final four points of the contest to take a 70-55 victory.

The maroon and white (3-10, 2-1 ECC) will continue in conference play for the 2018 portion of the schedule beginning with a bout against LIU Post on Wednesday (Jan. 3) at 7:00 p.m. from Quealy Gymnasium.