Men's Basketball Hosts Franklin Pierce University in NE-10 Showdown

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THE WARRIORS RETURN TO HAMMEL COURT TO TAKE ON THE RAVENS IN A NE-10 SHOWDOWN SATURDAY AFTERNOON

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NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – After another thrilling, 83-77, victory over the Skyhawks of Stonehill College on Wednesday night, the Merrimack College men's basketball team returns to Hammel Court to host the Ravens of Franklin Pierce University in a Northeast-10 Showdown at 3 p.m.

The Basics
Game: Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 | 3 p.m.
Records: Merrimack (4-0, 2-0) | Franklin Pierce (5-1, 0-1)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, Mass.

Last Time Out

For the fourth time this season, Merrimack College put on an impressive second half performance to erase a poor-performing first half. The Warriors stormed back from 18 down to turn the table and earn a thrilling 83-77 win, at Stonehill.

An out-of-sync Merrimack team limped into the locker room down 36-22 in its Northeast-10 battle with Stonehill. Looking at 44-26 deficit with 17:05 to play, Merrimack finished the game on a 57-33 burst.   

Merrimack went on a 13-2 run that is highlighted by nine points from sophomore Gelvis Solano (New York, N.Y.). Senior Kevin Regan (Philadelphia, Pa.) and sophomore JT Strickland (Laurel, Md.) each had baskets during the run.

Trailing 59-51 with 8:45 to play, a Solano 3-pointer and a basket by junior Travonne Berry-Rogers (Lynn, Mass.) pulls Merrimack within three (59-56) with 8:27 to play.

Down by six, back to back baskets by Solano and sophomore Troy Hammel (Valencia, Calif.) cuts the gap to one (66-65) with 6:09 to play.

Junior Ryan Woumn's (Lynn, Mass.) 3-pointer with 5:09 to play put Merrimack ahead for the first time, with 5:09 remaining.

The two teams stayed on even terms until Regan broke the game's final tie with 3:57 to play. His basket gave Merrimack a 73-71 lead and sparked a game-ending 14-4 run.  Sophomore Anthony Barry's (Uxbridge, Mass.) 3-pointer with 1:53 to play gave Merrimack a 78-73 lead and deflated Stonehill's comeback attempt.

Last Season against the Ravens

Game 1:

  • #10 Franklin Pierce defeated Merrimack College, 86-69 on Wendesday, Nov. 14, 2012.
  • For the third time last season, former senior forward Mike Clifford (Danvers, Mass.) led the Warriors with 16 points, while point guard Solano tied that mark while establishing a new career best in scoring of his own.
  • Franklin Pierce finished shooting 9-for-13 (.692) from downtown in the first half alone, compared to 18-for-27 (.667) from the field.
  • Despite holding an 18-10 advantage in rebounds, Merrimack did not help itself with seven turnovers and a paltry 1-for-7 (.143) mark from long range.

Game 2:

  • Merrimack College defeated Franklin Pierce, 69-62, in the Warriors home-finale.
  • Strickland put a bow on what was a sensational rookie season, scoring a game-high 20 points to join Clifford as the Warriors' two lone double-digit point scorers.
  • Shooting 43.5 percent from the floor, the Warriors enjoyed a fine shooting performance overall but were even better from long range: the hosts finished 8-of-18 (.444) from downtown, compared to a woeful 4-of-23 (.174) mark for Franklin Pierce.
  • Strickland wrapped up the year by knocking down back-to-back free throws to ice the match and give the Navy and Gold the win at the final buzzer.

The Warriors:

  • This is the first time since the 2008-09 season that the Warriors have opened up the campaign 4-0.
  • For the fourth time this season, the Warriors managed a come-from-behind victory over their opponent.
  • Merrimack head coach Bert Hammel is just 10 wins shy of joining the coaching 500-win club. Hammel has a career record of 490-450.
  • Solano leads the team with averaging 28 points per game, while Barry averages 9.3 rebounds per game.

Scouting out the Franklin Pierce Ravens:

  • Men's basketball tabbed third in the Northeast Division in Preseason Coaches poll.
  • Coming off a tough 68-66 loss at Saint Michael's College Wednesday night.
  • The Ravens average 86.3 points per game, while Ellis Cooper averages 16.3 points per game.
  • In the six games the Ravens have played, the team shoots 46.5 percent from the field and shoots 39.6 percent from long range.

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For continuing coverage of Merrimack athletics, check back online at www.merrimackathletics.com, and follow the Warriors on Twitter @MC_Athletics.

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