Rockville Centre, N.Y. - Trailing by 20 with seven minutes to play, the men's basketball team rallied to come back within two this evening against the College of Staten Island before falling 96-92. The loss sets the Lions at 9-17 on the season and 5-10 in East Coast Conference play while CSI moves up to 11-16 (7-8 ECC).

How it Happened

• The Dolphins started the contest on a 7-2 run.
• Four points from sophomore Rob Matos paired with field goals from freshman Dylan Kopp and sophomore Bryce Merchant would bring the Lions within two, 12-10, after five minutes of play.
• A three-pointer from freshman Sebastian Bosquez gave Molloy its first lead of the evening, 19-16, with just under 11 minutes to play in the first half.
• CSI responded with a 13-3 run to lead 29-22 headed into the final six minutes of the opening frame.
• Five points from Matos along with a three-pointer from Merchant and layup from Bosquez worked the score back to even at 32 with 4:34 on the clock.
• The Dolphins would net the next seven-straight points before eventually pulling in front, 47-36, at the break.
• The teams exchanged baskets to open the second half with the visitors maintaining a double digit lead, extending it to as many as 20, 82-62, with 7:16 left to play.
• Molloy responded with a 10-point run to cut the deficit in half.
• Trailing by 13 with 3:55 to play, a dunk from graduate student Matt Lane paired with five points from Merchant helped the Lions work the score within seven, 86-79, with just over two minutes left.
• CSI would return to a double digit lead, 92-81, with 39 seconds on the clock. Matos hit back-to-back three-pointers to bring Molloy within five.
• Foul shots from Shemar Latty increased the lead to seven, but a foul shot and three-pointer from Matos paied with a foul shot from Merchant made it a one-possession game with three seconds to play.
• Messiah Mallory was sent to the line one second later and hit both shots to seal the contest for the Dolphins.

Top Performances

• Merchant led the Lions with 27 points to go with four rebounds and two assists.
• Matos followed with 24 points, led the team with eight assists and added four boards and two steals.
• Kopp scored 12 points to go with six rebounds and three helpers.
• Bosquez netted a career-high 10 points and topped the team with three steals.
• Lane pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds while leading with two blocks and adding nine points.

Up Next
Molloy is still chasing a spot in the 2024-2025 postseason as they welcome the University of the District of Columbia to Bob Houlihan Court on Saturday (Mar. 1) at 2:30 p.m. The program will recognize the graduating members of the senior class in a pre-game ceremony.