Wrapping Up 2021-22
The Lions entered last season as one of the younger teams in the league, with just nine of the 16 members of the roster competing in more than 10 games at the collegiate level due to the shortened season. Molloy put up a record of 12-17, including going 10-8 in conference play. In a thrilling end to the season, Molloy won its final four regular season games, including perennial contender Daemen, to solidify the three-seed and a home game in the ECC Tournament. Molloy topped sixth-seeded District of Columbia, 76-69, before falling to second-seeded Daemen, 85-70. 

Freshman Darren Fergus, junior William Muller, and senior Steven Torre all earned All-Conference laurels for their performances on the season while Muller was also recognized by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association with an All-Region selection. 

Head Coach Charles Marquardt believes that the team was really beginning to hit its stride as 2021-22 came to a close and is hoping that the momentum can be continued into the start of this season. While Marquardt knows that he will have over 2,300 minutes to replace from the departing Torre, Frankie Phelan, Pierce Boczar, Justin Caldwell, and Colin Brady, he is expecting his returning core of sophomores, now armed with a full season of experience, will be able to carry the young program. 

Key Returners
Molloy returns William Muller for his final season in the cardinal and white. After leading the team in both scoring (14.5 points per game) and rebounding (6.3 boards per game), Muller was selected the league's Preseason Player of the Year. His veteran guidance will be an important key for the continued development of Marquardt's program. 

Sophomore Darren Fergus started every contest in 2021-22, and the effort that he's put in this offseason has not been lost on Coach Marquardt, who expects the standout to take yet another step forward this season. 

The Lions will also see a second full season out of redshirt junior Kendell Ogilvie. The guard appeared in 24 contests and earned nine starts last season, but was able to provide a crucial spark off the bench for the cardinal and white. 

Young, Not New
The Lions have established a core class of sophomores that include Kenny Lazo, Terence Crowley, Mich Browne, Sey Dieng, Billy Reyes, and Matt Lane. Coach Marquardt has entered 2022-23 with the mind set that every member of his bench is a viable option for major minutes and contributions as opposed to having one or two players be forced to be relied upon as "the" guy. 

The class combined for over 1,500 minutes in their first full collegiate season and are primed to be integral members of the starting lineup in 2022-23. 

Fresh Faces
The Lions added three members in the offseason that each provide a different set of skills to push the program forward. 

Freshman Jake Lynch comes to Rockville Centre by way of Melbourne, Australia, where he won three-straight championships before the COVID-19 pandemic shortened his senior season. He is a true point guard that also has the ability to get to the rim and shoot off the ball. 

Another true freshman, Deshaun Warren hails from Canyon Country, California. Last season, he won a CIF Division 2AA Championship. He brings the Lions a necessary strength at the four spot as well as providing skill as a defender. 

Rounding out Molloy's roster is graduate student Jalen Rosemond from St. John's University, where he played in four games in 2021-22. His maturity will be a welcomed addition to Marquardt's developing squad as well as providing assistance in both the four and the five spot with his shooting touch. 

On the Hunt
Molloy's season begins tonight against Pace University on the campus of Queens College at 8:00 p.m.

The schedule features a challenging but achievable series of non-conference games built to test the Lions for the ever-challenging East Coast Conference portion of the season. Conference play begins on the road December 2 at Daemen University.

Fans can expect to see exciting basketball played this season at Quealy Gymnasium that features a quick, but defensive-minded Lions squad. 

Molloy will open the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday, November 16 against Southern New Hampshire at 7:00 p.m.