Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. - The men's basketball team picked up a 79-66 victory at Mercy University this afternoon from the Niel Judge Student Athlete Center. Molloy improved to 5-16 on the season and 3-17 in East Coast Conference play while the Mavericks fell to 1-19 (0-10 ECC). 

How it Happened

• The teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of play, tying the contest three times, including 9-9 with 14 minutes to play in the opening half.
• A three-pointer from graduate student Bobby Connors and back-to-back foul shots from freshman Rob Matos gave Molloy a five-point advantage.
• Mercy would come within two at the 12 minute mark, but five points from Matos and a triple from junior Billy Reyes gave the Lions a double digit lead with nine just over nine minutes to play. in the half.
• The Mavericks strung together a 13-4 run to come within two, 32-30, in the final eight minutes of the half before foul shots from junior Matt Lane and a layup from redshirt sophomore Sey Dieng gave the cardinal and white a 36-30 advantage at the break.
• Mercy would net the first point of the second half, but Molloy would extend its lead with an 11-point run that featured five from Matos, four from Lane, and two from junior Mick Browne.
• 11 points would be as close as the home team would come, 60-49, with 10 minutes to play in the half. Molloy would lead by as many as 21, 70-49, with just over four minutes remaining before earning the 79-66 victory.

Top Performances

• Matos led with 22 points, three steals, and three assists while adding six rebounds. 
• Browne netted 14 points with four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
• Lane netted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while putting up three blocks and two steals. 
• Freshman Bryce Merchant rounded out the top scorers with 10 points while fellow rookie Manu Alford had nine boards to go with five points. 

Up Next
The Lions take on the Knights of Queens College on Wednesday (Feb. 7) at 7:30 p.m. from Flushing, N.Y.