Rockville Centre, N.Y. - The men's basketball team fell to the Roberts Wesleyan College Redhawks, 74-66, this afternoon in the regular season finale. The maroon and white slipped to 3-7 on the year and 2-6 in East Coast Conference play while the win improved Roberts Wesleyan to 8-6 (6-4 ECC). Molloy has secured the #4 seed in the upcoming ECC Tournament and will host #5 Mercy College on Wednesday (Mar. 3) at 7:00 p.m.

How it Happened

• The teams exchanged baskets early, but a 7-0 run including layups from redshirt senior Justin Caldwell and a three-pointer from freshman Kenny Lazo gave the maroon and white a six-point lead, 23-17, midway through the first half.
• The Redhawks would come within three, but an eight-point run from Molloy on baskets from junior Pano Pavlidis and sophomore James Montgomery as well as a pair of foul shots from senior Steven Torre gave the Lions the team's largest lead of the half, 37-26, with just over two minutes remaining in the opening half. 
• The visitors scored nine of the final 11 baskets to come within four, 39-35, at the break.
• Roberts Wesleyan fired off 13 points through the five opening minutes of the second half to tie the score, 48-48, with just over 15 minutes left to play.
• Junior Pierce Boczar reclaimed the lead for Molloy with a three-pointer, and Montgomery added a fastbreak layup to put the home team in front, 53-48, with 13:31 remaining.
• The Redhawks took back the lead with 8:40 on the clock, 62-55, but the Lions clawed back with a 9-0 run to go in front, 64-62, with 3:13 left on the clock.
• The visitors went in front on back-to-back three-pointers with 47 ticks remaining and held on to its advantage for the 74-66 victory.

Top Performances

• Montgomery recorded his sixth double-double of the campaign with 20 points and 10 rebounds. 
• Lazo added 11 points and four assists while junior Frankie Phelan pulled down seven rebounds while adding nine points. 
• Caldwell recorded three blocks in the loss.

Up Next
Molloy begins its quest for the East Coast Conference Championship on Wednesday (Mar. 3) against #5 Mercy College at 7:00 p.m.