Rockville Centre, N.Y. - The women's basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a definitive 85-72 victory over Chestnut Hill College this afternoon from Bob Houlihan Court. 

How it Happened

• After nearly three scoreless minutes to open the contest, the Lions had a 14-0 run that spanned six minutes of game time. 
• The Griffins would put up four points in the first frame, setting the score at 15-4 after 10 minutes.
• Molloy's double digit lead would remain through much of the second quarter and would increase to as much as 17, 38-21, at the break.
• Chesnut Hill would inch their way back into the contest, coming within six, 49-43, following a 7-2 run late in the third. 
• Back-to-back field goals from junior Sophia Yearwood would give the Lions a 55-47 advantage headed into the final quarter. 
• A layup from senior Rosa Rizzitelli regained a double digit lead for Molloy before a three-pointer from Tamia Washington set the score at 59-50 with just under nine minutes to play. 
• Sophomore Iris Hoffman responded with a shot from long distance to regain the double digit lead, one that would last the remainder of the contest and increase to as much as 15 before the final buzzer sounded.

Top Performances

• Rizzitelli matched a career-high 22 points and added a team-leading 11 rebounds for a double-double. The senior also added a career-high eight assists to go with two steals and a block.
• Yearwood tallied 19 points in the effort, shooting 50 percent from both the field and three-point range.
• McCullagh also had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, adding three blocks and two assists.
• Freshman Sharmeela Ugbogbo had a career debut with 11 rebounds, 10 points, and three blocks for Molloy's third double-double of the afternoon. 
• Hoffman led with three steals, matching a career-high. The sophomore also set a career-high with seven points and nine assists in the effort. 
• Sophomore Emma Poland also tallied three blocks for the Lions. 

Up Next
Molloy returns to Bob Houlihan Court tomorrow (Nov. 16) to take on Jefferson at 12:00 p.m.