Washington, D.C. - The men's basketball team was downed by the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia this afternoon from our nation's capitol, 73-72. Molloy fell to 1-7 on the season and 0-2 in East Coast Conference play in the loss while UDC improved to 3-4 (1-1 ECC) with the win.

How it Happened

• The teams exchanged three-point field goals to start the contest and remained closely contested through the opening five minutes of play.
• UDC pulled in front following a 12-2 run that put the home team in front, 22-8, with 11 minutes left in the opening half.
• Trailing by 15 with six minutes on the clock, the cardinal and white put together a 16-3 run that included a three-pointer from freshman Bryce Merchant and flawless foul shooting from freshman Rob Matos, graduate student Jalen Rosemond, and freshman Saba Beroshvili. 
• The Firebirds sunk two foul shots to end the half ahead by four, 41-37.
• The Lions opened the half with the first eight points with field goals from Rosemond, Matos, and redshirt sophomore Sey Dieng to take its first lead of the afternoon, 45-41. 
• Molloy's lead would increase to as much as eight, 59-51, before a seven-point run helped UDC knot the score at 65 with just over three minutes remaining in the contest.
• The home team would limit Molloy to just two three-pointers and a foul shot in the final minutes to take the narrow victory. 

Top Performances

• Matos topped the Lions with 21 points, going 12-of-13 from the foul line, and added four assists.
• Rosemond had a double-double with 13 points and a team-leading 13 rebounds after shooting 50 percent from the floor.
• Dieng and junior Billy Reyes each netted 11 points. Dieng added eight rebounds and led with four steals while Reyes dished out four assists to go with his three three-pointers on the afternoon.
• Graduate student Bobby Connors also had four assists while adding two steals. 

Up Next
The Lions return to Quealy Gymnasium on Friday (Dec. 8) as they take on Daemen University at 7:00 p.m.