MEN’S BASKETBALL DEFEATS NYIT

OLD WESTBURY, NY- Senior Vincent Falzone (Middle Village, NY) grabbed a double-double to help the Molloy College men's basketball team to a 76-73 ECC victory over the Bears of NYIT on March 1. With the win, the Lions finish in seventh place with a 10-17 overall record and an 8-12 conference record. NYIT takes third place with a 16-11 overall record and a 13-17 ECC record.

Both teams battled back and forth for the lead with neither team taking more than a five point edge. NYIT grabbed the biggest lead of the first (six points) with just over three minutes left in the half but a jumper by senior Kris Cabrera (Manhattan, NY) brought the Lions to within one (37-36). However, a tip-in by NYIT's Kirk Stewart at the buzzer gave the Bears the39-36 halftime lead.

Five straight points by Falzone put the Lions ahead by eight (49-41) as 4:28 came off the clock. A three point play by senior Glenn Martin (Brooklyn, NY) gave Molloy their biggest advantage of the game (59-47) halfway through the second. With just over two minutes left, the Bears cut their disadvantage to five (66-61). The Lions held the slight edge over the Bears but NYIT made it a one point game with three seconds left. However, Martin converted his two free throws in the final seconds to allow Molloy to hold onto the victory.

Falzone led all players with 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Martin finished with 19 points and five rebounds. Cabrera added 13 points and sophomore Girard Fitts (Uniondale, NY) pitched in with nine points and three steals.

The Lions finish in seventh place and will travel to #2 Adelphi University for the first round of the East Coast Conference play-offs. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 PM