Nov. 17, 2006

Box Score

NYACK, N.Y. - Four of Mercyhurst's five starters scored in double figures, but a jumper by Molloy's Glenn Martin with just 31 seconds left in overtime lifted the Lions to a 75-73 win over the Lakers on day one of the Nyack Classic.

Martin, who finished the game with 17 points, was the hero in regulation, as well, after his rebound and put back of a missed free throw tied the game at 73-73 with one second left in regulation. His score bailed out teammate Curtis Arnold, who hit just one of three after being fouled attempting to tie the game.

Merchurst (0-1) took its largest lead just past the midway point of the second half on two free throws by Avi Fogel, who led all players with 23 points in the contest. But an 11-2 run by the Lions (2-0) tied the score with just under three minutes to play after a jumper by Arnold.

After both teams shot over 46 percent in the first half, neither shot particularly well in the second 20 minutes. Molloy hit just 11-of-32 shots, but the Lakers sank just 8-of-27.

Molloy had jumped out to an early lead, 9-5, in the first half before a 19-8 run by Mercyhurst took the lead back for the Lakers, who held a 33-30 advantage at the break. Mark Pierre kept the Lions in the game, however, with 13 of his team-high 21 points in the first 20 minutes.

Fogel hit 7-of-16 shots in the game and was 8-of-10 from the line. Terry Smith hit 4-of-5 threes on his way to 14 points. The junior also grabbed seven boards and led the Lakers with three assists.

Transfers Shelby Chaney and T.J. Mathis both scored in double figures in their first games at Mercyhurst. Chaney had 11 points and led the team with eight boards, while Mathis netted 10 points.

Kyle Dongo gave Molloy three double figure scorers with 18 points in the game. He also dished out a game-high five assists. Pierre, Martin and Keith Tilley all had eight boards.

Molloy outrebounded the Lakers 50-36 in the game, but the Lakers hit on 8-of-16 threes in the game. The Lions shot just 17-of-37 from the free throw line (46 percent), compared to 15-of-22 for Mercyhurst (68 percent).

The Lakers will look to rebound on Saturday, November 18 with a 4:00 PM tip against Assumption in their second game at the Nyack Classic. The Greyhounds lost 81-62 to Nyack in the first round. Mercyhurst then returns home for its home opener on Tuesday, November 21 against Roberts Wesleyan at 8:00 PM.