Led by 13 points from graduate guard Amanda Bartlett, The Molloy Lions defeated the Bridgeport Purple Knight 56-54, at Quealy Gymnasium on the campus of Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York. With the win the Lions improve to 10-12,6-6 in ECC play with the victory. Sophomore forward Jessica DeNicola added a double-double, 11 points and 11 rebounds, for the Lions.
DeNicole gives credit her team’s defense and rebounding led them to victory. “It was extremely important to keep them off the boards and box out so we could eliminate second shots. We played point zone which was very successful and it was important for the middle person to step up when the guards were driving in the paint,” DeNicola said. “Everyone communicated and talked on defense and we played together and got important stops and rebounds when we needed them.”
Molloy opened up an early 7-2 lead. Then later in the half they extended their lead to nine,15-6, when DeNicola hit a layup. The Purple Knights would cut this lead to four,18-14, when freshman Jenna Hoffman knocked down a three. The Lions would open up a ten point lead, 27-17, when junior Julia Finlay knocked down a triple. This lead would increase to twelve, 29-17, when DeNicola hit a layup. Bridgeport would add four points before the end of the half. At the end of the half, Molloy led 29-21.
In the second half, the Lions would open up a twelve point lead, 37-25, when junior Laura Rivera hit a layup. With the Lions ahead 39-30, Bridgeport would score five straight points to make it a 39-35 game. Bridgeport would make it a three point game, 42-39, when Hoffman hit a three. The Lions responded with a 7-0 run, led by five points from freshman Nicole Arnone. With the score 51-42, Bridgeport would go on an 8-0 run to make it a 51-50 game. The Lions would respond with a three from Arnone, who had all 12 of her points in the second half. Bridgeport would make it 554-53 with a three from senior Edna Marant. With the score 56-54 and 2.8 seconds left Bridgeport had the ball senior Julia Colley missed a layup off the back rim. This secured the win for the Lions.
This win moved the Lions into the sixth and final playoff spot in the ECC standings with four games left.
Molloy coach Tim O’Hagan was happy with the win. “This game enabled us to live another day . The win really kept our playoff hopes alive,” O’Hagan said. “I thought the defense really kept them off balance all night and Nicole Arnone hit some big shots in the end which help us get the win.”
The Lions return to action Wednesday night when they host the Dowling Lions.
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