Amherst, N.Y. - The men's basketball team was unable to recover following an 18-point first half this evening against Daemen University from Lumsden Gymnasium, falling to the Wildcats, 84-58. Molloy sits at 3-15 on the season and 1-6 in East Coast Conference play following the loss while Daemen improved to 14-6 (4-3 ECC).

How it Happened

• Seven of the contest's first 10 points belonged to the Lions with field goals from freshmen Manu Alford and Bryce Merchant paired with a triple from graduate student Bobby Connors.
• Merchant and Connors combined for Molloy's remaining points in the opening seven minutes leading 13-10.
• The Wildcats responded with a 24-5 run over the resulting 13 minutes to take a 34-18 lead into the break.
• The visitors struggled to erase the double-digit lead, coming as close as nine, 42-33, with just over 14 minutes left in the contest, but ultimately fell victim to the Wildcats.

Top Performances

• Merchant had a career-high 16 points, shooting 8-of-16 from the field, to lead the cardinal and white offensively.
• Graduate student Jalen Rosemond followed with 11 points off the bench, including going 4-of-4 from the foul line.
• Alford netted nine points while topping the squad with three steals. 
• Connors also netted nine points and led with six rebounds.

Up Next
Molloy continues the Western New York trip on Sunday (Jan. 28) at D'Youville at 3:00 p.m.