Sparkill, N.Y. – The men's basketball team concluded the 2018-19 regular season with an overtime loss to the Spartans of Saint Thomas Aquinas College, 77-75 at Aquinas Hall. The victory secured the #2 seed in the East Coast Conference Tournament for the 15-3 Spartans (23-5 overall), while Molloy clinched the #3 seed in the loss, falling to 14-4 in league play and 18-9 on the season. The tournament will begin Wednesday (Mar. 6).
How it Happened
- The teams exchanged baskets through the opening minutes of play, with neither side able to gain more than a three-point advantage until an eight-point run put the home team in front, 28-23, with five minutes left in the opening half.
- Molloy trailed by seven, 36-29, at halftime.
- A seven-point run midway through the second frame gave the Lions a 46-45 advantage.
- Senior Curtis Jenkins netted seven points for the maroon and white down the stretch to put the team in front, 67-62, with 1:18 remaining on the clock.
- Trailing by two with 13 seconds to play, Kameron Murrell netted two foul shots to knot the contest at 67 and force overtime.
- Molloy scored first in the extra period, but the Spartans went on a 5-1 run to take a four-point lead, 74-70 with under a minute on the clock.
- The Spartans' lead would increase to five on a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining.
- Jenkins sunk a three-pointer with one second on the clock to cut the lead to just two points, 77-75, but the Lions came up short.
Top Performances
- Jenkins led with a game-high 33 points, going 12-of-21 from the floor. The guard also topped the team with nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
- Junior Nick Corbett netted 17 points for the maroon and white while junior Josh Dennis added 11 points and two blocks in the effort. Corbett and Dennis each nabbed a steal.
- Redshirt sophomore Justin Caldwell and senior Mike Torre each recorded six rebounds.
Looking Ahead
The Lions will appear in the ECC Tournament for the third straight season. The third-seeded Lions will host the sixth-seeded Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia on Wednesday (Mar. 6) at 7:00 p.m.
