Sparkill, N.Y. - The score would be knotted after 30 minutes in women's basketball's match up this evening from Aquinas Hall against St. Thomas Aquinas College. The Lions would outpace the Spartans 18-11 in the final quarter to earn the 71-64 victory. The win sets Molloy at 6-12 on the season and 4-3 in East Coast Conference play and marks the team's first road win of the season. STAC fell to 4-15 (2-6 ECC) in the loss.

How it Happened

• Senior Rosa Rizzitelli would net the first points of the contest, a three-pointer, to give the Lions an early lead. The home team would respond with the next eight-straight to take a lead.
• Molloy would work the score within one three times in the opening frame, all of which came via the long ball - two from senior Sophia Yearwood and one from freshman Monique Echols - but the Spartans were able to hold a 21-17 advantage after 10 minutes of play.
• Senior Colleen McCullagh accounted for the visitors' first six points of the second quarter to help tie the game at 23. 
• Timely three-point shooting continued for the Spartans to keep a six-point lead. 
• The quarter would end with six more points from McCullagh, putting the Lions ahead 34-32 at the break.
• Yearwood would sink two more three-pointers to open the second half for Molloy. Paired with a layup from sophomore Grace Trotta, Molloy pulled ahead to the game's largest lead, 42-34. 
• STAC would chip away at the Lions' lead and the teams would find themselves tied at 53 headed into the final 10 minutes.
• Molloy would score on five of the first seven possessions of the fourth quarter, leading 63-56. 
• The Spartans would manage to make it a one possession game, 65-62, with 1:20 left to play, but six of the final eight points would go in favor of the Lions for the win. 

Top Performances

• McCullagh's 23 points led all scorers, adding five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
• Yearwood followed with 18 points, hitting four three pointers, and added three boards and two steals. 
• Freshman Sharmeela Ugbogbo matched a career-high 18 rebounds to go with nine points, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. 
• Rizzitelli led with six assists for Molloy, adding nine rebounds. 

Up Next
Molloy returns to Rockville Centre on Saturday (Jan. 24) for a matinee match up with Mercy University at 12:00 p.m.