Rockville Centre, N.Y. – The third-seeded Molloy College men's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the East Coast Conference postseason tournament Wednesday night with a 69-58 win over sixth-seeded Queens College at Quealy Gymnasium. The Lions, now 17-12 on the season, will next face the University of Bridgeport on Friday, March 7 in Bridgeport, Conn.
Molloy split with Queens College during the regular season, losing the last match-up by four back in January. But the Lions were determined to not let the Knights get the better of them in their third meeting. Though Queens kept the score close throughout the first half, Molloy maintained an advantage for much of it. Sophomore guard Brandon Williams (Baldwin, N.Y.) scored 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting in the half, while the team shot a combined 40% from the floor. The consistent offense helped the Lions to a 31-26 lead at the intermission.
Back on the court for the second half, Molloy scored a quick four points to go up by nine. Though quiet offensively in the first half, senior forward and ECC Player of the Year John Petrucelli (Hicksville, N.Y.) contributed in other ways in the second, pulling down 10 boards and adding three assists, a steal, and a block.
A layup by Queens' Amir Tarif at the 14:11 mark, and another by his teammate Tommie Starkes less than a minute-and-a-half later brought the Knights within two. The Lions worked their way out of the danger zone from the free throw line, going 4-for-4 in less than 30 seconds. Molloy then spent the next 10 minutes beating back Queens' advances.
Up six with 43 seconds left to play, the Lions again made free throws work toward their advantage. Molloy went 8-for-8 from the foul line in the final seconds of play, including 6-for-6 by Petrucelli. This ability to maintain composure sealed the win for Molloy, 69-58.
Williams contributed a game-high and career-high 19 points, while freshman guard Jaylen Morris (Amherst, N.Y.) added 13. Petrucelli netted 14 points — just three away from becoming a member of the elite 2,000-point club — and grabbed 14 rebounds.
Jeremiah Mordi led Queens College with 17 points, as well as eight rebounds, four assists, and one block. Tarif contributed 14 points.
UP NEXT: Head Coach Charles Marquardt and the Lions will travel to Bridgeport, Conn. on Friday, March 7, to play the University of Bridgeport in the ECC tournament semifinals. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Provided by the Molloy Sports Information Department.
