Amherst, N.Y. - The men's basketball team kicked off the Western New York trip with a loss to #3 Daemen University this evening, 96-66, from Lumsden Gymnasium. The Wildcats remain the country's lone undefeated team at 22-0 (13-0 East Coast Conference) with the victory while Molloy fell to 8-14 (4-7).

How it Happened

• Five points from junior Payton Shumpert helped the road team to an early 7-4 lead.
• The teams would find themselves tied four times in the opening eight minutes, including at 17 following a three-pointer from sophomore Bryce Merchant and jumper from senior Terence Crowley. 
• The Wildcats would eventually pull in front, responding with a 15-5 run to lead, 32-22 with just under nine minutes to play in the first half.
• Molloy would cut the deficit to eight with eight minutes on the clock but entered the halftime break trailing by 21, 52-31.
• Despite shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor in the second half, the Lions were unable to come within 20.

Top Performances

• Shumpert led the Lions with 20 points, shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range and 7-of-13 from the field to go with a team-leading six rebounds. 
• Sophomore Rob Matos netted 16 points to go with three rebounds.
• Merchant's 14 points rounded out the top scorers, adding six rebounds.
• Graduate student Matt Lane also pulled down six boards and led the game with three blocks while recording Molloy's lone steal.

Up Next
Molloy remains on the road on Sunday (Feb. 16) as they take on D'Youville University at 3:00 p.m. from Buffalo, N.Y.