Nov. 19, 2005

Stats

Easton, Mass. - Junior Avi Fogel's runner with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime lifted Mercyhurst to a 74-72 non-league college men's basketball victory over Molloy in second round play of the 2005 Stonehill Coca-Cola Tip-Off Classic Saturday afternoon at Merkert Gymnasium.

Fogel's game-winning jumper helped cap a second half comeback for the winning Lakers (3-0), as Mercyhurst trailed by as many as six points before using a 13-0 run over a four minute stretch midway through the second half to take a 49-42 lead with 9:04 remaining. The Lions (0-3) then scored 13 of the game's next 18 points to regain a one-point edge at 55-54 with under three minutes to play in regulation, and the teams traded baskets before the Lakers took a 58-57 lead with 17 seconds left on a lay-in by senior Andy Kubinski. Sophomore Glenn Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was fouled with 5.6 seconds left in regulation and made one of two free throws to send the game to the extra session.

Mercyhurst grabbed a four-point lead in the overtime period at 72-68, keyed by a three-pointer from junior Mitch Brennan, but Molloy closed the gap back to two on a pair of free throws by senior Mike Mooney (Staten Island, N.Y.) and tied the game on a steal and lay-in by junior Keith Tilley (Kew Gardens, N.Y.) with 10.8 seconds to play in overtime, setting up Fogel's heroics for the Lakers.

Sophomore Terry Smith led all scorers with 18 points in the win for Mercyhurst, which also received a double-double effort of 14 points and 11 rebounds by Fogel as well as 11 points from senior Jeff Daisley. Martin led five players in double figures for Molloy with 16 points and six rebounds, while sophomores Todd Hampton (Colts Neck, N.J.) and Mark Pierre added 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Lions. Tilley finished with 12 points and eight rebounds in the setback for Molloy, which also received 11 points and five assists from Mooney.

"This was definitely a total team effort," said Head Coach Gary Manchel. "Everyone contributed. It was not easy, and I'm proud of our guys for stepping up and bringing back a win."

Molloy shot 43 percent from the field as compared to 40 percent for Mercyhurst, but the Lions hurt themselves with 20 turnovers despite holding a 16-5 scoring edge at the foul line. The Lakers outrebounded Molloy by a 40-36 margin for the contest.

Mercyhurst hosts Bloomsburg in a non-league outing on Tuesday evening beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Story courtesy Stonehill Sports Information Department.