Buffallo, N.Y. – The fifth-seeded Molloy women's basketball team walked into Saints Center Gym and upset the fourth-seeded Saints of D'Youville, 72-59, Wednesday evening in the ECC Quarterfinal. With the victory the Lions improve to 16-14 on the campaign and clinch a berth in the ECC Semifinal, while the Saints conclude the season 10-16.
 
How it Happened

• Molloy had a red hot opening to the contest, shooting 80 percent from the floor with a pair of three-point field goals for a 10-0 lead.
• After D'Youville snapped the run to make it 10-3, senior Janel Moore answered with five consecutive points to retake the double-digit lead, 15-3, midway through the opening stanza.
• Over the next two minutes of action, the Saints found a stride, shooting three-of-three from long range, to cut the deficit to six, 18-12, with 3:05 left in the first quarter.
• The two squads traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter with Molloy taking a 26-18 lead into the second frame.
• As the second quarter began, the home team continued to get back into the contest with efficient shooting. The Saints shot 5-of-7 from the floor and forced two turnovers to come within two, 31-29, with six minutes to go in the first half.
• Junior Rosa Rizzitelli gave the Lions a two-possession lead 10 seconds later and the two squads would go back and forth over the next 3:30 of game time. The Saints were able to get the contest within two, 39-37, with 1:26 left in the half.
• Junior Colleen McCullagh sank a jumper with 45 seconds remaining and that would give Molloy a four-point lead, 41-37, going into halftime.
• The third quarter was an offensive struggle on both side as neither team recorded a field goal until the midway point of the third quarter when D'Youville sank a layup to come within three, 42-39.
• The cardinal and white concluded the third quarter on a 9-4 run, shooting four-of-six from the field to extend its lead to eight, 51-43, at the end of the third stanza.
• The two teams traded baskets to begin the fourth quarter, with Molloy continuing to hold its lead, 57-51, with 7:05 remaining on the scoreboard.
• The Lions were able to get the lead to 10, 63-53, midway through the fourth.
• The cardinal and white ended the contest holding the Saints to 25 percent shooting while converting seven free throws, four of them in the final minute, to go on an clinch the victory, 72-59.

Top Performances

• Muller led the way, collecting a game-high 17 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and 60 percent from three-point range.
• McCullagh totaled 14 points, six rebounds, and tied a game-high six assists.
• Moore tacked on 12 points, six assists, and a game-high four steals.
• Senior Danielle Hippner added 10 points, six rebounds, and a game-high four blocks. 

Up Next
The Lions move on to the East Coast Championship Semifinal to take on top-seeded Daemen University Saturday, March 8. Tip-off from Lumsden Gymnasium is set for 12:00 p.m.