Links: Box Score
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Despite scoring 50 second-half points, the Merrimack College men's basketball program could not overcome an early hole, falling to the College of Saint Rose, 82-74, on Saturday afternoon at Hammel Court. The contest marked the Warriors' cross-divisional finale, with the Navy and Gold returning to divisional play on Wednesday against Assumption College.
The Basics
Score: Saint Rose 82
, Merrimack 74
Records: Merrimack (14-7, 10-4 NE10) | Saint Rose (16-5, 11-2 NE10)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, Mass.
Marquee Moments:
- The Golden Knights got off to a torrid start, shooting 55.2 percent from the field in the opening half including 6-of-10 from the field to take a 19-point advantage into the locker room at halftime
- Saint Rose ended the opening stanza on a 13-4 run that made a 10-point gap even larger as Merrimack attempted to hang with its visitors
- Merrimack did make a second-half rally, pulling within as close as four, but the Warriors were never able to cut their deficit down to one possession
Rapid Recap
- Saint Rose started the game on a 12-3 run over the first five minutes, and increased its lead to double figures, 21-9, at the 8:54 mark of the opening stanza
- Junior Troy McLaughlin hit consecutive three-pointers to get the Warriors back within single digits, but the Golden Knights worked their lead back to 10 with 4:41 remaining until halftime.
- The final four minutes belonged to Saint Rose, as the visitors ended the half on a 13-4 run to take a 19-point lead to intermission
- The Golden Knights continued their hot shooting to start the second half, making 5-of-8 from the field to maintain a 19-point lead, 54-35, five minutes into the stanza
- Sophomore Jaleel Lord hit a triple that started a 13-4 run, which ended with a three-pointer for classmate Devon Moore, bringing the Warriors within 12, 60-48, at the 9:47 mark. Sophomore Idris Joyner converted a three-point play 90 seconds later, and the deficit was down to single digits with eight minutes to play
- With the score at 62-51, junior Ryan Boulter hit his first triple of the day in his return from injury, igniting an 11-5 stretch that brought the Warriors within five, 67-62, with 5:25 on the clock
- McLaughlin hit a two-pointer that brought the Navy and Gold within five, but the Golden Knights quickly doubled that margin, 74-64, with two minutes and change to play. Senior Kyle Howes hit a long triple with 19 seconds left that brought the deficit down to 78-74, but the Golden Knights hit four free throws to stop the comeback there
Notes and Notables
- Merrimack ends cross-divisional play in second place in the Northeast Division, holding a two-game advantage over third place with seven games left in the regular season
- Sophomore Juvaris Hayes nearly posted a double-double with 17 points and nine assists to lead the Warriors
- The Warriors' bench played well again, with the trio of McLaughlin, Lord and Joyner combining for 36 points
- Saint Rose owned a 35-19 advantage on the glass
- Four Golden Knights scored in double figures, led by a game-high 21 points from Julian Lipinski. Senior Mical-Ryan Boyd chipped in 10, reaching 1,000 for his career
- Boulter came off the bench for the Warriors after missing his last 10 games due to injury
Up Next
The Navy and Gold host Assumption College to begin their second run-through of the Northeast Division on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. from Hammel.
