Washington, D.C. - After trailing by 17 at the half, the men's basketball team shot over 54 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes of this afternoon's game against the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia to earn an 80-72 victory. Molloy improved to 7-12 on the season and 3-5 in East Coast Conference play and ended the month of January on a winning note. The loss set UDC at 4-12 (2-6 ECC).

How it Happened

• The score was tied five times in the opening four minutes until UDC pulled ahead following a 6-0 run.
• The home team would shoot over 50 percent from the floor in the first half and lead by as much as 19, 48-29.
• A layup from senior Mick Browne cut the lead to 48-31 in the final seconds of the half.
• The Lions' offense roared to life in the second half of action, opening the frame up on a 14-0 run to come within three, 48-45.
• A three-pointer from sophomore Bryce Merchant would knot the score with just under 12 minutes left to play before a layup from sophomore Rob Matos gave Molloy the lead for the first time in nearly 30 minutes of game time.
• The Firebirds would respond and tie the score three times in the following minutes, including as late as 61-61 with 6:34 on the clock.
• Molloy would be red hot from long distance as Merchant and junior Payton Shumpert combined for five-straight three-pointers to help increase the lead to 11, 76-65, headed into the final two minutes of play.
• UDC would come within seven, 79-72, in the final seconds but were unable to overcome the Lions' strong second half.

Top Performances

• Shumpert led with 22 points and added seven rebounds while tying a career-high five assists.
• Matos followed with 18 points and led with eight assists.
• Merchant's 5-of-11 day from the field got him 12 points to go with three assists.
• Graduate student Matt Lane pulled down 19 rebounds to go with 10 points for a double-double.
• Browne matched a career-high three blocks and led with two steals.
• Freshman Dylan Kopp netted 10 points off the bench while freshman Sebastian Bosquez had a career-high eight rebounds.

Up Next
Molloy returns to Bob Houlihan Court on Saturday (Feb. 1) to take on Queens College in the second half of East Coast Conference play. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.