Amherst, N.Y. - The men's basketball team opened East Coast Conference play this evening with a victory over Daemen University, 72-69, from Lumsden Gymnasium. The victory is the Lions' first of the season, setting the squad at 1-6 (1-0 ECC) while the Wildcats fell to 3-3 (0-1 ECC) in the loss.

How it Happened

• After Molloy opened the contest with a 5-4 lead, the home team responded with an eight-point run to go in front, 12-5.
• The Wildcats shot at nearly 50 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes of action and led by double digits most of the first half before taking a 43-31 lead into the locker room. 
• The Lions trailed, 54-44, five minutes into the second half before a 7-2 run brought the visitors within five with 12 minutes left to play.
• Daemen led, 63-57, with just under five minutes on the clock before three field goals from sophomore Darren Fergus and a three-pointer from sophomore Billy Reyes gave Molloy its first lead of the second half, 66-65, with 2:43 on the clock.
• The next two field goals would go in favor of the Wildcats, but Fergus would net a fastbreak layup off a defensive rebound before also scoring an and-one free throw on the play to knot the contest, 69-69, with 71 seconds to play.
• The Molloy defense helped to keep Daemen from sinking a shot in the final minute while Fergus and Lazo each sunk critical foul shots in the final seconds to secure the road victory for the Lions.

Top Performances

• Molloy shot nearly 58 percent from the field in the second half while limiting the Wildcats to just eight field goals (22 percent).
• Fergus topped all scorers with 21 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, one block, and one steal.
• Lazo added 11 points to go with four assists.
• The Lions saw a season-high 28 points off the bench, including nine from both Reyes (3-of-5 from three-point range) and sophomore Mick Browne, who also put up two blocks and two steals. 
• Senior William Muller had seven points and seven boards in the effort.

Up Next
Molloy remains on the road as they head to D'Youville University on Sunday (Dec. 4). Tip-off is slated for 3:00 p.m.