Rockville Centre, N.Y. - The men's basketball team returned to action this afternoon at Quealy Gymnasium, falling to the Dolphins of the College of Staten Island, 72-69. The Lions fell to 6-13 on the season and 6-5 in East Coast Conference play in the effort while CSI improved to 6-13 (5-7 ECC).

How it Happened

• The visitors took an early 12-5 advantage after 16 minutes of play. 
• Back-to-back layups from junior Colin Brady and freshman Darren Fergus brought the Lions within six, 18-12, with 12 minutes remaining in the first half.
• An 8-2 run late in the half, highlighted by five points from junior William Muller, brought Molloy within two, 26-24, with just over five minutes on the clock.
• The Dolphins scored seven of the final 12 points of the half to take a 35-30 lead into the break.
• CSI would increase its lead to as much 15 points, 53-38, to open the second half. 
• Not to be silenced, the maroon and white responded with nine points to cut the deficit to 11, 58-47, but the Bryce Watterman netted three straight three-pointers for the visitors to set the score at 67-47 with just under eight minutes left to play.
• Head Coach Charles Marquardt called a time out to refocus the Lions, who came out of the huddle to a 12-0 run, featuring four points from freshman Mick Browne and six points from senior Steven Torre, to come within eight, 67-59. 
• The visitors regained a double digit advantage, 71-61, in the final 90 seconds, but three-pointers from Fergus and junior Frankie Phelan and a layup from Torre had the Lions within two, 71-69, with 10 seconds on the clock. 
• Molloy fouled to regain possession, but Messiah Mallory hit one of his free throws in the final five seconds, setting the score at 72-69. The Lions were unable to get off a final shot, halting the comeback hopes and sealing the contest in favor of CSI. 

Top Performances

• Fergus paced the maroon and white with 19 points, including going 9-of-9 from the line, and added six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
• Muller joined him in double digits with 12.
• Phelan and Torre each added nine with Phelan dishing out a game-high four assists.
• Graduate student Justin Caldwell pulled down a team-high eight boards while adding six points. Browne also tallied six points while putting up a career-high three blocks. 

Up Next
Molloy will return to the court on Monday (Feb. 7) at Saint Thomas Aquinas College. Tip-off from Sparkill, N.Y. is slated for 7:00 p.m.