CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's basketball junior Maura Kelty (Barrington, R.I.) tied a career-high with 17 points but the #16 Cougars fell short to Molloy College 81-76 in non-conference action.  
 
The Cougars fall to 10-3 overall, while the Lions improve to 9-4.
                     
Molloy raced out to a 10 point lead deep into the first quarter at 20-10. Caldwell rallied with a 14-2 run that propelled them into the lead early in the second quarter. Sophomore Andie Lennon (Secaucus, N.J.) drilled a triple late in the first quarter to cut the score to 20-15. Junior Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, N.Y.) capped the run early in the second quarter with a trifecta to put the Cougars ahead 24-22 with 8:20 left in the first half.
 
The rest of the second quarter saw six ties and four lead changes as the game was close throughout the half. Drogsler hit two free throws with 19 seconds on the clock to put Caldwell up 40-38. Molloy answered as they got a lay-up just before the buzzer as the teams headed to halftime tied at 40.
 
Caldwell led for most of the third quarter as they pulled ahead 52-48 following a free throw by junior Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, Mass.). The Lions answered as they jumped in front by one point at 57-56 with under a minute to play. Kelty responded with a triple just before the buzzer to put the Cougars ahead 59-57 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
The final quarter featured six lead changes and four ties as the teams battled for momentum. Lennon's triple with 4:25 left in the game put Caldwell in front 68-67. Molloy scored the next eight points to take a 75-68 lead with 1:38 remaining in the game. The Lions connected on five free throws in the final minute to hold off a Caldwell comeback.
 
Drogsler led the Cougars with 21 points along with eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Lennon netted a career-best 18 points and four triples. Kelty totaled 17 points and four rebounds, while senior Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, N.Y.) finished with nine points, three boards, three assists and two steals. Sanders tallied five points, four rebounds and seven assists.
 
The Cougars are off until the calendar turns to 2017. Caldwell is back to conference play on Wednesday, January 4 as they travel to Goldey-Beacom College for a 6 pm tip-off.