Rockville Centre, N.Y. - Led by a career-high 23 points from sophomore Kenny Lazo, the men's basketball team defeated the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia, 84-79 this evening from Quealy Gymnasium. The Lions improved to 6-11 on the season and 5-1 in East Coast Conference play with the victory while UDC fell to 4-10 (2-3 ECC) in the loss.

How it Happened

• Lazo hit three shots from long distance to give Molloy a 9-3 lead to start the contest.
• The Firebirds would score the next six points to knot the score.
• A 9-3 run that featured four points from sophomore Darren Fergus put the Lions back in front, 18-12.
• The home team maintained its advantage until UDC once again knotted the score, 35-35, with 2:17 left to play in the first half.
• The visitors would twice take a one-basket lead, but a layup from redshirt junior Kendell Ogilvie and foul shots from sophomore Billy Reyes helped Molloy head to the locker room with the score tied, 39-39.
• Three-pointers from Fergus and graduate student Jalen Rosemond paired with a dunk from sophomore Matt Lane put the Lions in front, 47-42, to open the second half of action.
• A 9-0 run from UDC gave the Firebirds a 51-47 advantage with 15 minutes on the clock.
• Five points from Ogilvie and another three-pointer from Lazo tied the score at 55 before a second emphatic dunk from Lane regained the lead for the Lions.
• The teams would be tied twice more, including as late as 10:22 left in the contest, 64-64.
• a 12-1 run that saw six points from Ogilvie broke open the scoring in favor of Molloy, 76-65 with seven and a half minutes remaining.
• The Firebirds would work the score to within one, 80-79, in the final minute before a layup from senior William Muller created some distance for the Lions.
• Two foul shots from Lazo in the final 10 seconds sealed the victory.

Top Performances

• Lazo's 23 points came on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, including a career-high six three-pointers. The guard added five rebounds and three assists in the effort.
• Fergus and Ogilvie each netted 15 points with Fergus topping the squad with eight assists while Ogilvie led with six rebounds.
• Muller also put up six boards to go with 10 points and two steals. 
• Lane led with two blocks. 

Up Next
Molloy heads to the College of Staten Island on Saturday (Jan. 14). Tip-off is slated for 3:00 p.m.