Brookville, N.Y. – The Molloy College men's basketball team overcame a 16-point deficit to defeat the fourth-seeded LIU Post Pioneers, 71-66. With the victory, the Lions advance to the East Coast Conference Semifinals, where they will take on top-seeded University of Bridgeport on Saturday (Mar. 3) at 5:00 p.m.
Junior Mike Torre paced the maroon and white with his first career double-double, scoring a game-high 20 points while pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds. Junior Curtis Jenkins and sophomore Nick Corbett each scored 16 points, with Corbett sinking four three-point shots, including three in the final 10 minutes. Redshirt freshman Justin Caldwell tallied nine points (4-of-4 field goal) and nine rebounds; sophomore Josh Dennis recorded a career-high four blocks to go with eight points and six boards.
Molloy got out to a slow start, trailing 20-4 after seven minutes of play, allowing three straight triples from the Pioneers. Midway through the opening frame, the Lions worked the deficit to single digits, trailing 22-13. A 7-0 run from the visitors brought Molloy within six, 28-22, with just under five minutes to play in the half. LIU Post scored the next eight points, but the Lions closed the half with a 6-0 run to trail by just eight, 36-29, at the break.
Three straight triples from Corbett helped Molloy tie the contest, 49-49, with 10 minutes left to play before the guard gave the Lions its first lead of the day, 54-51, with 7:35 on the clock. The Pioneers regained the lead in the final five minutes, leading 60-57 with 3:27 to go. Six straight points from Jenkins pushed Molloy back in front before Torre sunk two foul shots to give the maroon and white its largest lead, 68-61, with 30 seconds left. LIU Post would come within three in the final seconds, but sound shooting from the charity stripe helped clinch the victory in favor of Molloy.
Provided by the Molloy Sports Information Department.
