Rockville Centre, N.Y. - A three-pointer by Gabriella Aspuru of Molloy College in the waning moments of Wednesday evening's contest, sent the St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Basketball team to a heartbreaking 53-52 defeat at Quealy Gymnasium.

STAC falls to 8-14 and 7-6 in the ECC on the season, while the Lions improve to 12-8, 9-4 with the regular season series sweep.

Erin Leary posted a double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds, on the day for the Spartans, while, Alexa Huertas (12 points) and Sarah Ericson (10 points) also scored in double-figures. Gabriella Aspuru led all scorers with 21 points for Molloy. 

STAC shot 29.8 percent from the field (17-57) in the ECC tilt, while Molloy shot 33.3 percent (17-51) from the floor.

STAC NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

• Eight players recorded double-digit minutes in the contest. 
• Erin Leary led the Spartans with three assists in the game.
• Alexa Huertas made four of her eight field goal attempts, with all four of those shots going in from behind the arc.
• Molloy out rebounded STAC by a slim 38-37 margin. Erin Leary and Chanel Brodeur-Muir grabbed 10 boards each for the Spartans.
• St. Thomas Aquinas forced seven steals, with the Lions turning the ball over on 14 different occasions.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• STAC opened an early 4-0 lead, but Molloy went on an 8-0 lead of their own, giving the Lions a lead (8-4). 
• Back-to-back Spartan three-pointers by Alexa Huertas and Erin Leary gave the Spartans a 10-8 lead. STAC held a 15-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
• After exchanging baskets to open the second quarter, back-to-back three pointers by Molloy gave them a 23-18 lead halfway through the second frame.
• Liliana Kramer ended the Molloy run and sparked a 6-2 run for the visitors in maroon and gold to close the quarter with Molloy ahead by just two at 26-24.
• Alexa Huertas paced the Spartans in the first half with six points, while Gabriella Aspuru led the way for Molloy with 12 points.
• The two sides traded baskets throughout the entire third quarter with the Spartans taking a slight 13 to 12 point advantage in the stanza and a 38-37 lead on the scoreboard.
• With the game tied at 43-43 with 6:37 remaining, STAC went on a 5-0 run, taking a 48-43 lead with 4:46 left and forcing Molloy to call a timeout. 
• The Lions would score the next four points of the game, bringing the Molloy to within one with 3:47 to play.
• A free throw from Julia Reggio gave the Spartans a two-point advantage before Molloy tied up the game at 49-49 with 1:37 remaining.
• After a foul by STAC put Molloy at the foul line with 47 seconds left. Janel Moore missed her first attempt but converted on the second, giving the hosts a 50-49 lead.
• Following a timeout by St. Thomas Aquinas, Alexa Huertas hit a three-pointer with 28 seconds left, giving the lead back to STAC at 52-50.
• However, Gabriella Aspuru answered the rally cry for Molloy, hitting a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining and giving Molloy back the lead at 53-52.
• With a chance to win the game at the buzzer, Sarah Ericson's jumper was blocked by Molloy and the Lions escaped with the one-point victory.

UP NEXT:

St. Thomas Aquinas hosts Queens College in an Aquinas Hall Senior Day doubleheader on Saturday, February 12. Opening tip is scheduled for 1pm in Sparkill, with pregame ceremonies to precede the matchup between the Spartans and Knights.