Rochester, N.Y. – The Molloy men's basketball team closed its three-game road trip Friday evening falling to the Redhawks of Roberts Wesleyan, 85-74, inside Voller Athletic Center. Following the contest, the Lions sit at 7-15 overall and 7-5 in East Coast Conference play, while the Redhawks improve to 5-14 overall and 3-8 in league play.

How it Happened

• Roberts Wesleyan jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the opening 2:32 while forcing four Molloy turnovers.
• The Lions responded with a 9-2 run of their own through the next three minutes of action to shrink the deficit to two, 13-11.
• The two squads would stay within one possession through the midway point of the first half, before freshman Ebubenna Nwabudu sunk a layup to give Molloy its first lead of the evening, 21-20, with 9:52 to go in the first stanza.
• The game would go back and forth with three lead changes until the home team put together an 8-0 run to jump back in front, 37-29, with under four minutes to go.
• The Redhawks maintained its multi-possession lead for the remainder of the half, but the road team would get a three-point field goal from sophomore Sebastian Bosquez as time expired to go into the locker room behind, 43-38.
• The second half began with the home team keeping the Lions at arm's length, until junior Manu Alford sunk a three-point shot to bring Molloy within one possession, 48-45, with 16:50 to play.
• The home team responded by answering every Molloy basket with one of their own through the 12:15 mark, holding a 60-54 lead.
• Over the next five minutes of action Roberts Wesleyan opened up its largest lead of the evening, 75-56, clinging to a 15-2 run while holding the Lions to 1-of-10 from the floor.
• The cardinal and white would cut the deficit to 11 with 2:11 to go, but the comeback would be halted there as the Redhawks would close out the contest victorious, 85-74.

Top Performances

• Junior Chris Stokel netted a game-high 17 points while swiping a team-high three steals.
• Freshman Chase Timberlake totaled 13 points.
• Junior Bryce Merchant and sophomore Dylan Kopp added 10 points each with Merchant leading the team with eight rebounds and five assists.

Up Next
Molloy returns to Bob Houlihan Court Wednesday, February 18 as they welcome St. Thomas Aquinas to Rockville Centre. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.