Bridgeport, Conn. – After being down by over 20 points in the first half, the Molloy women's basketball team came within two, but ultimately fell to the Purple Knights of the University, 55-51, Wednesday evening at Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium. The Lions move to 1-2 on the campaign, while the Purple Knights improve to 1-2.
 
How it Happened

• A jump shot from senior Trinity Hudson got the Lions on the scoreboard as they trailed, 5-2, 3:46 into the contest.
• Bridgeport concluded the opening stanza on a 12-2 run to take a 17-4 lead into the second quarter.
• The rally continued into the second stanza, as the Purple Knights extended its lead to 20, 24-4, with over seven minutes to go in the first half.
• Back-to-back jumpers from sophomores Colleen McCullagh and Brianna James cut the deficit to 16, 24-8, with 6:08 remaining in the second quarter.
• The two teams would trade baskets for the remainder of the quarter. Sophomore Rosa Rizzitelli concluded the second with a pair of free throws to send the contest into halftime with Molloy behind, 33-17.
• The Purple Knights reestablished its 20-point lead to start the third quarter, opening a 21-point advantage, 39-18, with 7:38 on the clock.
• The cardinal and white would begin its rapid comeback, rallying to a pair of runs in which they held the Purple Knights to two points for the remainder of the quarter.
• A 9-1 rally over the next four minutes from the visitors with a balanced attack as four Lions contributed to the run, cut the deficit to 13, 40-27, with 3:29 left in the stanza.
• Molloy finished off the third quarter on a 12-1 rally, highlighted by six points from junior Janel Moore and five points from Hudson to head into the fourth quarter behind, 41-39.
• The home team opened the final stanza on an 12-5 run to take a nine-point advantage, 53-44, with 59 seconds to play.
• Molloy would not let down, forcing two turnovers, and scoring seven consecutive points to come back within two, 53-51, with 10 seconds to go.
• The home team drained two free throws with two seconds remaining to prevent the comeback and seal the victory, 55-51.

Top Performances

• Hudson led all scorers with 15 points and tied a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with five steals.
• Moore collected 12 points and a game-high six steals.
• Junior Danielle Hippner added seven points and 10 rebounds. 

Up Next
The Lions will have a lengthy break for the Thanksgiving holiday and will return Saturday, November 25 as they take on Dominican at Felician University. Tip-off from Rutherford, N.J. is set for 12:00 p.m.