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Ryan Boulter Postgame Comments
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Senior
Ryan Boulter poured in a game-high 19 points, becoming the 45
th player in program history in the process, as the Mansfield, Mass. native led the Merrimack College men's basketball program to a 69-50 victory over visiting Holy Family University on Saturday afternoon at Hammel Court. The contest marked the program's season opener, and the 40
th career win for third-year head coach
Joe Gallo.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 69, Holy Family 50
Records: Merrimack (1-0) | Holy Family (0-1)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, Mass.
Marquee Moments:
- Boulter scored eight of Merrimack's 13 points, including two triples as far of a 9-0 run for the hosts that turned a 9-4 deficit into a 13-9 lead. That lead chance proved to be the last of the day as the Warriors did not relinquish their advantage
- The second half began with the Tigers within seven, 30-23, but a 7-2 start to the second stanza allowed Merrimack's lead to grow to double figures. The Tigers scored eight points over the first nine minutes of the half, as the Warriors' defensive effort allowed them to expand their advantage
Rapid Recap
- Boulter did not waste time reaching 1,000 points, doing so on Merrimack's first possession with a driving layup. Holy Family, however, took a 9-4 lead before a 9-0 Merrimack run capped by Boulter's second trey put the Warriors ahead, 13-9, at the 13:08 mark
- Holy Family climped within two, 20-18, but the Warriors' advantage ballooned to seven after a quick 5-0 spurt that ended with corner three-pointer for sophomore Khalief Crawford. Boulter finished the half with 12 points, capping Merrimack's effort with a bucket with 16 seconds remaining to send the Warriors to the locker room with a 30-23 lead
- Merrimack's defense stole the show to start the second half, limiting Holy Family to 10 points over the first 10 minutes. The Warriors held the Tigers scoreless for a four-minute stretch beginning at the 13:36 mark, enabling the hosts to build a 13-points lead (44-31)
- The final nine minutes saw the hosts' lead dip to 12, but never lower than that. The final margin of 69-50 proved to be the Warriors' largest of the day as junior guard Juvaris Hayes put an exclamation point on the contest with his first dunk of the year followed by a late lay-in
Notes and Numbers
- Boulter joined Hayes as current members of Merrimack's 1,000-point club. The senior led all players in scoring with 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting
- Hayes – a Preseason All-American for the second straight year – nearly totaled a double-double with 16 points and nine board. The two-time reigning Northeast-10 Conference assist leader added five helpers
- Junior Jaleel Lord delivered an impressive effort on the glass, posting a career-best 15 rebounds. It also marked the most rebounds for any player during Gallo's tenure, and the rebounds since James Kennedy '16 totaled 15 on two occasions in 2015-16
- Additionally, Merrimack outrebounded Holy Family by five, 48-43. The 48 caroms also marked the most Merrimack has had as a team under Gallo
- Junior Idris Joyner was effective in the middle, scoring 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting while adding seven boards. Crawford also finished in double figures with 12 of his own
Up Next
The Warriors return home tomorrow to conclude the East Region Conference Challenge, facing Jefferson at 2 p.m.
