Rockville Centre, N.Y. - Despite shooting nearly 55 percent from the floor and scoring a season-high 51 points in the first half, the men's basketball team succumbed to the College of Staten Island, 89-86, to open East Coast Conference play this evening from Quealy Gymnasium. The Lions fall to 1-6 (0-1 ECC) in the loss while CSI improve to 4-3 (1-0 ECC) with the win.
How it Happened
- The cardinal and white opened the contest on a 16-8 run with four points coming from freshman Rob Matos.Â
- Baskets from Matos, junior Terence Crowley, and freshman Bryce Merchant helped Molloy take a double digit lead, 29-18, midway through the first half.Â
- A 9-0 run from the visitors brought the Dolphins within three, 36-32, with five minutes left in the first half of play.
- An 11-2 run from Molloy regained the advantage to 13, 47-34 in the final three minutes.Â
- Merchant hit the final shot of the half to take the teams into the break with the Lions leading, 51-40.
- Seven minutes into the second half, the Dolphins had knotted the score at 59.
- A three-pointer from Bryce Waterman gave the visitors a two-possession advantage, 66-62, with 11:15 left on the clock.
- Molloy trailed by eight before five points from junior Billy Reyes, four from Matos, and two from junior Mick Browne regained the lead for the Lions, 81-80, with just under three minutes to play.
- The next five points would come in favor of the Dolphins. While the Lions would come within one twice in the final minute, they would be unable to regain the lead.
Top Performances
- Matos led the Lions with 23 points, going 9-of-16 f rom the field, while also leading with five assists.
- Reyes tallied 16 points with graduate students Jalen Rosemond and Bobby Connors each netting 12. Rosemond added 10 rebounds for a double-double as well as two blocks.
- Browne rounded out the top scoring with 14 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Up Next
Molloy is on the road this weekend as they take on the University of the District of Columbia at 3:00 p.m. from Washington, D.C.
