Rockville Centre, N.Y. – Sophomore Rob Matos sunk a layup in the final 20 seconds to give the Molloy men's basketball team a 83-81 victory over the Mavericks of Mercy University Saturday afternoon on Bob Houlihan Court. Molloy improves to 6-11 overall and 2-4 in East Coast Conference play, while the Mavericks move to 5-11 overall and 4-3 in league play.
 
How it Happened

• The Lions began the contest on a 12-4 run 4:16 into the contest, led by graduate student Matt Lane and senior Mick Browne who totaled six points apiece.
• Over the next four minutes of action the Mavericks would shrink the deficit to two, 17-15, with 12:12 left in the first half.
• The squads would trade baskets over the next three minutes of action, but a three-point field goal from Mercy guard Max Mitchell would knot the contest at 21 with nine minutes remaining in the opening half.
• After the road team took a 24-23 lead following a three-point basket with 7:41 on the clock, Molloy would go on to close the half on a 20-7 rally, shooting 60 percent from the field and six-of-six from the foul line to take a 43-31 lead into halftime.
• Through the first seven minutes of the second half, both teams would sink seven field goals apiece, but the Lions would hold its largest lead of the contest, 63-45, with 12:55 left to play.
• Over the next 5:26 of game time, the Mavericks would put together a furious 18-4 run, shooting 63 percent from the field, three-of-three from three-point range, and forcing four turnovers to shrink the deficit to four, 67-63, with 7:29 left in the contest.
• The road team would bring the contest back to all square, 70-70, with 5:40 remaining on the scoreboard.
• After the road team took a 74-72 lead, Browne responded with a three-point field goal to push Molloy back in front, 75-74, with 3:19 to go.
• Mercy would reclaim the lead, 77-75, with a three-point field goal from Derek Long with under three minutes to go before Browne would knot it back up at 77 with a pair of free throws with 2:18 left to play.
• With 46 seconds to go, freshman Sebastian Bosquez sunk a layup to give the Lions a 81-79 advantage.
• 20 seconds later, Mercy forward Ethan Robertson hit a jumper to bring the contest back to even, 81-81.
• After calling a timeout Matos got the ball at the top of the key, drove to his right and nailed the game-winner with five seconds left on the clock to seal the victory, 83-81. 

Top Performances

• Matos led all scorers with a game-high 20 points while shooting eight-of-ten from the foul line.
• Browne totaled 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
• Sophomore Bryce Merchant tallied 17 points on 70 percent shooting while grabbing seven rebounds.
• Lane totaled 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Up Next
Molloy will begin a two-game road trip Wednesday, January 22 when they travel to play the College of Staten Island at 7:30 p.m.