Sparkill, N.Y. - Sophomore James Patterson poured in a game-high 28 points on Wednesday evening, as the St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Basketball team rolled to its fifth straight win, a 99-74 decision over Molloy University at Quealy Gymnasium on Long Island.

STAC improves to 16-3 overall and 8-1 in ECC play, while Molloy drops to 4-16 and 2-7

The aforementioned James Patterson led the way for the Spartans, while teammate Luis Risquez (14 points) also posted double figures in scoring.

STAC shot 46.8 percent (36-77) from the field, while Molloy shot 43.9 percent (29-66) from the floor.

STAC NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ten Spartans logged double-digit minutes in the contest. 
• Rich Smith led the maroon and gold with seven assists on the evening.
• James Patterson hit 11 of his 17 field goal attempts, while Luis Risquez went 5-for-8 from the floor.
• STAC out-rebounded Molloy by a 46-34 margin, with Shaun Arnold grabbing a game-high 15 boards for the Spartans.
• St. Thomas Aquinas picked up 12 steals, with the Lions turning the ball over on 22 separate occasions.
• The Spartans earned advantages in five team statistical categories over Molloy: Points off Turnovers (25-14), Second Chance Points (17-11), Points in the Paint (46-38), Fastbreak Points (18-4) and Bench Points (46-32).
• The game featured no ties and no lead changes.
• STAC's largest lead of the contest came in the second half, when Spartans led by 37 points, 91-54 on a Shaun Arnold made free throw.
• The Spartans held a 56-36 advantage going into the halftime locker room.
• James Patterson led all scorers with 19 first half points for STAC, while Billy Reyes tallied 10 points for Molloy.

MOLLOY NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

• Eight Lions logged double-digit minutes in the contest. 
• Matt Lane led his team with 14 points, while teammates Billy Reyes (13pts), Sey Dieng (11pts), Bryce Merchant (10pts) and Manu Alford (10pts) also scored in double digits.
• Rob Matos led Molloy with a game-hight eight assists on the evening.
• Matt Lane went 7-for-9 from the floor, with Billy Reyes hitting 5 of his 10 field goal attempts.
• Bryce Merchant grabbed a team-high seven boards for the Lions.
• Molloy picked up seven steals, with the Spartans turning the ball over on 12 separate occasions.
• With the contest well in hand and the visiting Spartans resting their starters, Molloy outscored STAC 18-8 over the final 6:44 of regulation.

UP NEXT:

STAC takes its second win streak of five or more games this season to Queens College on Saturday, February 3. The Spartans and Knights will square off inside of Fitzgerald Gymnasium, beginning at 1:00 p.m.