Rochester, N.Y. - The score would be tied at the century mark of this afternoon's men's basketball game at Roberts Wesleyan University with 2:45 left to play. However, the Lions were held to just one field goal in the final three minutes and fell to 1-8 on the season and 0-2 in East Coast Conference play. The Redhawks improved to 5-6 (2-2 ECC) in the effort.

How it Happened

• After an opening exhange of baskets set the score at 10-10, the Lions pulled ahead on the back of a 12-2 run after seven minutes of play.
• The Redhawks would come within four, 27-23, but Molloy immediately responded with another lengthy 18-4 run to lead, 45-27, with just over five minutes to play in the half.
• Junior Payton Shumpert netted 21 points in the first half, all of which came from long distance, helping the visitors maintain an advantage through the halftime break.
• The home team trailed by eight to start the second half, but exploded on a 13-point run to lead, 60-55. 
• Field goals from sophomore Rob Matos, freshman Dylan Kopp, and graduate student Matt Lane kept the Lions within striking distance. 
• The contest remained a mostly one-possession affair until a 10-2 run from the Redhawks set the score at 89-81 with 7:46 to play.
• An 11-3 run with points from Matos and sophomore Bryce Merchant worked the score back to even at 92.
• The teams would also be tied at 94 and 100 before Roberts Wesleyan ended the contest on a 7-2 run to take the victory.

Top Performances

• Shumpert paced all players with a career-high 30 points, shooting 8-of-15 from long distance while adding six rebounds.
• Matos netted 28 points while dishing out six assists.
• Merchant also topped 20 points at 25 while adding seven rebounds and three assists.
• Lane had a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 18 rebounds while also putting up three blocks. 

Up Next
Molloy will play in Rockville Centre for the final time in the 2024 calendar year on Wednesday (Dec. 18) as they welcome Goldey-Beacom College at 7:00 p.m.