Links: Box Score
Video: Postgame Press Conference //
Highlights
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – The Merrimack College men's basketball program controlled possession on Sunday evening with a chance to either tie or win against the Boston University Terriers, but the hosts saw their game-tying attempt just miss, resulting in a two-point win, 69-67, for the visitors at Hammel Court. The contest marked the first time Merrimack and BU played since 1985 and the first time the Warriors hosted the Terriers in 50 years.
Merrimack scored a season-best 44 first-half points – against Division I opponents – and held a three-point lead at intermission, but the Terriers rallied to create a back-and-forth second half. The contest featured 17 lead changes and nine ties, the last of which occurred with 44 seconds to play as the visitors sank a 3-pointer to take the 69-67 lead that proved to be the final score.
Senior point guard
Juvaris Hayes posted a six-assist effort, setting a new program record with his 826
th career helper. Sophomore
Mikey Watkins posted a team-best 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and junior
Devin Jensen added 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting, featuring three 3-pointers.
The Essentials
Score: Boston University 69,
Merrimack 67
Records: Merrimack (6-7) | Boston University (6-7)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, Mass.
Rapid Recap
- Merrimack started the game on an 8-2 run over the night's first 93 seconds, prompting a Boston University timeout. The Terriers responded, however, tying the game up at 15-15 with 12:49 remaining in the opening stanza.
- Both offenses continued to play with, knotting up the score once more at 24-all with under nine minutes remaining until intermission. The Warriors responded with an 8-2 stretch capped by a three-point play for senior Idris Joyner, making it a 32-26 contest
- Another tie occurred with under two minutes to play as BU used a 13-7 stretch to pull even, 39-39. Merrimack immediately answered with five straight points including a hoop-and-harm for freshman Jordan Minor. The Terriers hit a buzzer-beater, however, to make it a 44-41 game at intermission. Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the first including a 61.5 percent effort for the hosts
- Minor hit the first field goal of the second half, but the Terriers answered with an 11-0 run to snatch a 52-46 advantage by the under-16 media stoppage. Merrimack's defense recovered, holding the visitors to eight points over the next seven minutes. The Warriors offense chipped away before Watkins hit consecutive buckets that tied the game, 60-60, with 8:28 remaining
- Watkins' field goals started a 9-0 run for Merrimack that ended with Jensen's third triple of night, creating a 65-60 lead for Merrimack; Hayes' record-setting assist occurred that bucket. BU scored the next five, however, but Watkins hit three free throws to give Merrimack the lead back, 67-65. The visitors had the last laugh, however, scoring the night's final four points to claim victory
Notes and Numbers
- Hayes eclipsed the assist mark set by Merrimack Hall of Famer Darren Duncan '10, who finished his heralded four-year tenure with 825 helpers. Merrimack's starting point guard now owns both the single-season and career assist records for the Warriors
- Sunday was the seventh meeting between Boston University and Merrimack. It was the just the second of the seven hosted in North Andover
- Both teams shot well from the field, with BU finishing at a 57.1 percent clip (28-49) while Merrimack added a 46.3 percent rate (25-54). The opponents also hit eight triples each
- Hayes added a game-high four steals, matching BU's entire total as a team
Up Next
Merrimack visits Sacred Heart University on Thursday for the program's first-ever Northeast Conference (NEC) game. Tip-off in from the Pitt Center in Fairfield, Conn. is set for 7:30 p.m.
