Rockville Centre, N.Y. – The Molloy women's basketball team fell to the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia, 63-48, inside Quealy Gymnasium Wednesday evening. The Lions move to 3-12 overall and 2-4 in East Coast Conference play, while the Firebirds improve to 8-8 overall and 3-2 in league play.
 
How it Happened

• Defense was the name of the game in the first quarter, as the two teams combined to shoot 4-of-30 from the field with UDC holding a 8-3 lead after the first stanza.
• A pair of three-point field goals from sophomore Janel Moore and freshman Casey Campo, and a jumper from Nora Gabel pushed Molloy ahead, 11-10, 1:07 into the second quarter.
• The two teams traded shots as the quarter continued, with the game being tied at 19 with 89 seconds remaining in the half.
• A three-point shot from graduate student Gianni Domond and a jumper from sophomore Samantha Muller gave the Lions a 24-19 advantage heading into halftime.
• Coming out of the locker room, UDC knotted the contest at 26 2:10 into the third quarter following a three from Destiny Ryles.
• The cardinal and white reclaimed the lead, 29-28, following a lay-up from freshman Brianna James mid-way through the third stanza.
• The road team opened its lead to four, 35-31, with 1:37 left to go in the third. Molloy would knot the contest at 35 following a basket from junior Trinity Hudson, but went into the fourth quarter down, 37-35.
• The Firebirds extended its lead to seven, 44-37, three minutes into the fourth stanza.
• A layup from Hudson brought the Lions within three, 44-41, with 6:07 to play.
• UDC went on a 12-2 rally to extend its lead to 13, 56-43, with under three minutes remaining, and would go on to seal the victory, 63-48. 

Top Performances

• Freshman Rosa Rizzitelli paced the team with 11 points and a career-high six steals.
• Hudson totaled nine points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
• Domond added nine points and seven rebounds. 

Up Next
The Lions will travel to Staten Island to play the College of Staten Island Saturday, January 14. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.