Links: Box Score
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Despite owning an eight-point halftime lead, the Merrimack College men's basketball program was dealt a 65-59 defeat on Saturday at Bentley University from the Dana Center in Waltham, Mass. The Warriors entered the second stanza with a 28-20 edge, only to see the Falcons rally to win by six.
The Basics
Score: Bentley
65
, Merrimack 59
Records: Merrimack (2-2, 1-1 NE10) | Bentley (4-0, 2-0 NE10)
Location: Dana Center | Waltham, Mass.
Marquee Moments:
- After shooting just 33 percent (8-24) in the opening half, Bentley's offense turned it on in the second half to complete the comeback. The Falcons shot nearly 52 percent from the field (14-27), and did most of their damage from inside the arc as they only made two triples over the final 20 minutes. One of them, however, proved crucial as senior guard Ryan Richmond connected on a left-wing trey that made it a 59-55 game with two minutes to play
Rapid Recap
- Trailing 10-8 at the 14:32 mark of the first half, Merrimack used a 10-0 run over the next 5:22 to build an 18-10 lead. Junior Juvaris Hayes totaled four points, while sophomore Khalief Crawford and senior Ryan Boulter drilled 3-pointers to account for the scoring, while Merrimack's defense held Bentley to 0-for-5 shooting and forced three turnovers during the run
- The Falcons chipped away, making it a one-possession game (23-20) with 2:34 left until halftime. The Warriors had other ideas, scoring the final five points of the opening stanza including Boulter's second trey of the half that made it a 28-20 game at halftime
- Merrimack's lead grew to as many as nine of the second half's first five minutes, following free throws from Hayes at the 15:05 mark (37-28). Bentley scored four straight to cut its deficit to five, but a four-point play from junior Jaleel Lord brought Merrimack's lead back to nine, 41-32, with 13:33 remaining
- Recovering once again, the Falcons worked Merrimack's lead down to thee with six straight points, but the Warriors' advantage hovered around there for the next few minutes. Richmond recorded a three-point play at the 6:29 mark that tied the contest at 45-all
- Bentley led over the remainder of the afternoon. The Warriors closed within one on two occasions, including following an old-fashioned three-point play by junior Idris Joyner with 3:11 remaining, but that was as close as the visitors got
Notes and Numbers
- Hayes posted an all-around effort of 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals. He led Merrimack in points, assists and steals on the afternoon
- Joyner notched his second career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 12 rebounds
- Merrimack's offense went quiet from distance, making only 5-of-19 three-pointers
- Richmond led all scorers with 24 points, including going a perfect 11-of-11 at the free-throw line. Bentley as a team did not miss a free throw (15-15) on Saturday
Up Next
The Warriors face Southern New Hampshire on Tuesday evening at home. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from Hammel Court.
