Molloy Beats STAC in Over Time Thriller

By Patrick McCormack

Ashley Addison scored a team-high 20 points to lead Molloy to a thrilling 80-73 overtime victory over St. Thomas Aquinas College  at Aquinas Hall on the Campus on the campus of St. Thomas Aquinas in Sparkill, New York. With the win the Lions improved to 7-9 in ECC play. Christina Marra added 15 points for Molloy.

“It felt great to get the win at STAC, and to be the first team this year to beat them on their home court,” Addison said. “They’re such a good, well-coached team. We never gave up this game. We kept pulling back and never let STAC get comfortable. It shows how each player believes in each other to pull out a great win.”

The Spartans led nearly all the way. Molloy finally took the lead at 58-57 when sophomore Courtney Dolnick hit a three-pointer. However, Briana Sloper, who had a game high 27 points and 14 rebounds, put the Spartans back on top at 64-63, with 30 seconds to play.

With just 15 seconds on the clock, Molloy sophomore Ikema Ross was fouled. Ross hit one of two to send the game into overtime. The Lions started overtime on a 12-2 run to open up their biggest lead of the game at 76-66. The Lions staved off a late STAC comeback.

The first half was one of many runs. STAC jumped out to an early 18-5 lead, but the Lions responded with a 7-0 run to cut the Spartans lead to 18-12. STAC responded with a 12-0 run of their own led by Sloper. The Lions were able to cut into the STAC lead and trailed 37-28 at the half.

The Lions got off to a terrific start in the second half. Ross hit a jumper, which capped an 8-1 Molloy run and cut the Spartans lead to 39-36. Sloper heated up and extended the STAC lead to 45-38.

Marra was thrilled with the win. “Beating STAC in overtime at their gym was an awesome feeling,” Marra said. “The fight and heart that the team played with throughout the game really proves that we can accomplish all our goals this season. Getting defensive stops and hitting shots is what helped us fight our way back into the game.”

Coach Tim O’Hagan was happy with his teams play, “It was a great win,” Coach O’Hagan said, “ Playing in a very hostile environment just proves that when we show up to play we can play with anyone.”

The Lions return to action Saturday when they travel to Bridgeport to play the Purple Knights.