SPARKILL, NY- Five Lady Lions scored in double digits, including a career high 16 points for sophomore Lisa Abitante (Brooklyn, NY), to lead the Molloy College women’s basketball team to an 89-86 overtime victory against the Lady Spartans of St. Thomas Aquinas College on January 19. Molloy improves their overall record to 6-9 and their East Coast Conference record to 5-4, while the Lady Spartans drop to 6-9 and 5-3.

A lay-up by sophomore C.J. Jones (Boston, MA) and then a steal by Jones allowed senior Randi Bender (North Bellmore, NY) to knock down a jumper to give the Lady Lions the early 14-7 advantage. With 9:20 left in the first, sophomore E.J. Dreyer’s (Floral Park, NY) jumper extended Molloy’s edge to 11 (28-17). The Lady Lions held the lead for the remainder of the first and Bender’s basket with five seconds left gave Molloy the 45-31 cushion at halftime.

The Lady Spartans opened the second half with an 8-0 run to cut their disadvantage to six (45-39). However, two free throws and a lay-up by junior Katelyn Dunn (Bethpage, NY) gave Molloy the ten point advantage (49-39). The Lady Lions held onto the lead for the next 14 minutes but STAC took their first lead of the half after a basket by Takiyah Ingram. Both teams battled for control in the final minutes but two free throws by Bender evened the score at 74 and sent them game into overtime.

With the game tied at 77, Abitante recorded a jumper and two free throws to allow the Lady Lions to go ahead by four (81-77). The Lady Spartans made it a one point game with 23 seconds left on the game but Abitante sealed the victory after she notched two free throws with one tick left on the clock.

Sophomore Kymira Woodberry (Boston, MA) and Dreyer each recorded a double-double. Woodberry posted 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Dreyer had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Abitante finished the game with a career high 16 points and added five assists. Bender contributed 14 points and seven assists, while Jones pitched in with 13 points.

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