Albany, N.Y. - The men's basketball team defeated the College of Saint Rose Golden Knights, 79-76, in a non-conference battle this afternoon from Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium. The victory snaps a five-game skid for the Lions, which improved to 3-5 on the season, while the loss set St. Rose at 2-2. The win was also the 300th of Head Coach Charles Marquardt's career with the maroon and white.

How it Happened

• Molloy start off hot, taking an 11-6 lead in the first six minutes of action on the back of seven points from freshman Darren Fergus. 
• The Lions maintained its lead through most of the first half, but a 16-4 run from the home team through the final six minutes of play gave St. Rose a 35-34 advantage at the break.
• The teams exchanged leads through the first 10 minutes of the second half, with Molloy taking its largest lead of the half, 57-53, following a three-pointer from junior Pano Pavlidis. 
• The maroon and white maintained its lead until an 8-0 run from the Golden Knights put the home team in front, 69-63, with 4:35 left on the clock.
• St. Rose's lead continued to what would appear to be a victory for the Golden Knights, but freshman Kenny Lazo nailed a three-pointer with 29 ticks remaining to give the Lions a 77-76 lead. Junior Frankie Phelan sealed the win in favor of the visitors with two free throws in the final 15 seconds to set the score at 79-76 in favor of Molloy when time expired.

Top Performances

• Fergus led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including four three-pointers, to go with four assists and three steals.
• Junior James Montgomery bagged another double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds while adding two blocks.
• Lazo was also lights out from long distance, going 5-of-7 for 17 points to go with three assists. 
• Pavlidis pulled down seven boards and dished out three assists to go with six points while Phelan added eight points and three helpers. 

Up Next
Molloy returns to its home court to face Roberts Wesleyan College on Saturday (Feb. 27) at 12:00 p.m.