ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Despite eight different Mavericks scoring, the Mercy University Men's Basketball Team dropped an 81-56 decision at ECC foe Molloy University on Saturday afternoon at Bob Houlihan Gymnasium.
The Mavericks (2-16, 2-7 ECC) have dropped eight games in a row and fall to the Lions (4-14, 4-4 ECC) for the fifth straight time. Mercy falls in Head Coach Charles Marquardt's return to Molloy where he served as head coach for 31 years.
The game began with Molloy taking an early lead as Jared Weakly hit a 3-pointer just 19 seconds into the first half. Sophomore Kohen Rowbatham (Slidell, La./University of New Orleans) responded with a layup and a three-pointer, giving Mercy a brief lead. However, Dylan Kopp's series of layups and a fastbreak score by Chase Timberlake helped Molloy regain control, extending their lead to 13-5 at the 16:57 mark. Despite an effort by the Mavericks featuring back-to-back three-pointers by Rowbatham, Molloy maintained their advantage, closing out the half with a solid 39-25 lead, capped by a fastbreak 3-pointer from Kopp with 48 seconds left.
Molloy extended their lead early in the second half with a tip-in by Chris Stokel at the 19:10 mark, pushing the score to 41-25. The Mavericks attempted to close the gap with a layup from freshman Tyrell Miller (Los Angeles, Calif./Frederick K.C. Price III Christian School) and a 3-pointer by Rowbatham, but Molloy maintained their advantage. Kopp was effective from the free-throw line, contributing to Molloy's effort to keep Mercy at bay. Despite late 3-pointers from senior TJ Holloway (Stratford, Conn./Central Connecticut State University), Mercy couldn't overcome the Lions' commanding performance, with the game ending 81-56 in favor of Molloy.
Rowbatham led the Mavericks with a team-high 24 points, including converting four 3-pointers and grabbing eight rebounds. Junior Ashton Pratt (Alexandria, Va./Chesapeake College) contributed defensively with three steals while adding five points. Sophomore James Connolly (Canton, Ga./The Winchendon School) secured five rebounds and scored a career-high-tying six points. Miller added two blocks in addition to four points and five rebounds. Holloway recorded eight points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Kopp led Molloy with 25 points, making 8-of-16 field goals, including two three-pointers, and hitting 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. Weakly contributed significantly with 21 points, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and sinking 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He also recorded 13 rebounds, nine blocks, and five assists.
Mercy shot 30.0 percent (21-of-70) from the floor, 30.4 percent (7-of-23) from downtown and 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from the foul line. Molloy shot 43.3 percent (29-of-67) from the field, 30.8 percent (8-of-26) from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent (15-of-18) from the charity stripe. Molloy held a 51-40 edge on the glass.
Head Coach Charles Marquardt and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, January 31st when they play at St. Thomas Aquinas at 3 p.m.
