Buffalo, N.Y. - The women's basketball team kicked off East Coast Conference play this evening from Saints Center Gym with an 89-79 loss to D'Youville University. The loss sets the Lions at 2-8 on the season (0-1 ECC) while D'Youville improves to 3-4 (1-0 ECC).

How it Happened

• Both teams made seven field goals in the opening 10 minutes, which saw the score knotted four times. 
• Three-pointers from Avil Vallone Russell, Molly O'Toole, and Xanthippi Karatasisou gave the Saints a five-point advantage in the final minute of the frame, but a three-pointer from senior Sophia Yearwood made it a one-possession game headed into the second quarter.
• Molloy outscored the Saints, 18-16, in the second quarter, to make it a tie game of 36 at the break. 
• D'Youville opened the second half with seven-straight points to take the lead, 43-36.
• Foul shots and a jumper from sophomore Emma Poland paired with a jumper from Yearwood worked the Lions back within five, 62-57, headed into the final 10 minutes.
• Midway through the fourth quarter, the home team had established a double digit lead that Molloy was unable to overcome. 

Top Performances

• Senior Colleen McCullagh netted a game and career-high 30 points, shooting 12-of-24 from the field and added a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double. 
• Yearwood tallied a season-high 20 points and a career-high five steals.
• Poland pulled down a career-high nine rebounds and added six points. 
• Yearwood and sophomore Iris Hooffman each dished out three assists while sophomore Jamie Davneiro added four. 

Up Next
The Lions remain in Western New York for the weekend and will face Daemen University on Sunday (Dec. 7) at 11:00 a.m.