Bridgeport, Conn. - The Molloy women's basketball team defeated New York Institute of Technology by a score of 56-53 to become the 2017 East Coast Conference Women's Basketball Champions. Senior Aliyah McDonald (Hempstead, N.Y.), who scored 10 points with a game-high four steals was named Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament.
The Bears jumped out to an 11-6 lead on a three-pointer from senior Shanice Allen (Riverhead, N.Y.), but sophomore Ihnacinse Grady (Amityville, N.Y.) closed the opening quarter with a three-pointer and jump shot to knot the score at 11.
Molloy opened the second frame on a 9-6 run to go ahead by three, 20-17. Layups from junior Nina Vukosavljevic (Belgrade, Serbia) and senior Julie Williams (Smithtown, N.Y.) pushed NYIT ahead by one, 21-20 with 2:19 left in the half. The Lions responded with a 7-1 run, ending the half up 27-22.
NYIT scored six points in the opening minutes of the third quarter to cut Molloy's lead to just one point, but a layup from Symone Kelly (Wyandanch, N.Y.) put the Lions up 31-28. ECC Rookie of the Year Margaret Knollmeyer (Hampton, N.H.) put up a layup to take the Bears back within one. Freshman Kathryn Gibson (Neponsit, N.Y.) hit a three-pointer, one of four on the day, to push Molloy back ahead 34-30. The Bears reclaimed the lead following three points from sophomore Tiara Place (Baldwin, N.Y.) and a jumper from Vukosavljevic. Senior Maggie Salomone (Narragansett, R.I.) hit a trey of her own to put the lead back in favor of the Lions. The guard would close the quarter by sinking three foul shots to extend the lead to 40-37 headed into the final 10 minutes of play.
In the final frame, the teams battled back and forth until an Allen layup sent NYIT ahead 45-42. Gibson responded with a three-pointer to tie the game with five minutes on the clock. The Bears went on a 6-2 run to take a four-point lead, but Gibson once again sunk a clutch three-pointer to cut the lead to only one point with 1:44 left to play. Knollmeyer sunk a foul shot with 1:18 left to put NYIT up 52-50. Graduate student Kamala Thompson (Selden, N.Y.) was sent to the line 20 seconds later. The guard made both shots to tie the game. With 42 seconds on the clock, McDonald slapped the ball away from the Bears, taking it down court to put Molloy ahead 54-52. Freshman Kayla Correa (New Rochelle, N.Y.) brought NYIT within one with eight seconds to play, but McDonald sunk two final foul shots to seal the win and the Championship for the Lions.
McDonald shot 42.8 percent from the floor in the victory, including going 4-of-4 from the charity stripe for 10 points. Gibson posted a team-high 12 points, while Grady totaled nine points, six assists, and one steal. Thompson and Kelly each posted eight points for the maroon and white.
The Lions, who earned an automatic bid with today's victory, now await tonight's selection show at 10:00 p.m. to find out who they will face in the NCAA Tournament, which will begin on Friday (Mar. 10).
Provided by the Molloy Sports Information Department.
