| Matchup |
Merrimack (10-8, 4-1 NEC) at Robert Morris (8-9, 4-0 NEC) |
| Date/Time |
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 // 4 p.m. |
| Venue |
UPMC Events Center // Moon Township, Pa. |
| Multimedia |
Watch // Live Stats |
| Social |
Twitter // Instagram |
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Riding a three-game winning streak as part of a 4-1 start to Northeast Conference (NEC) play, the Merrimack College men's basketball team plays Robert Morris University for the second time in two weeks this Saturday. The contest pits the second-place Warriors against the first-place Colonials. Tip-off from the UPMC Events Center in Moon Township, Pa. is set for 4 p.m.
SCOUTING THE COLONIALS
The Colonials have played just twice since facing the Warriors last Saturday, taking down St. Francis Brooklyn (78-52) and Wagner (94-62) at home. The Colonials are 4-1 on their home court, christening the UPMC Events Center this season. The Colonials have been on fire in NEC play, leading the league in scoring margin (+20.0), field goal percentage (.521), field goal percentage defense (.418), 3-point field goal percentage (.479) and assists per game (20.0).
THE FIRST GO-ROUND
Merrimack led at halftime two weeks ago, but Robert Morris turned a 28-25 game into a track meet, racing ahead for a 69-58 win. Merrimack was within five with 3:30 to play, but the visitors pulled away down the stretch.
HISTORY AGAINST RMU
Saturday will be Merrimack's second-ever meeting against Robert Morris and first-ever trip to Moon Township, Pa. to face the Colonials. The Warriors aim to be the first NEC program to take down RMU at the UPMC Events Center.
Matchup Comparison:
| Category |
Merrimack (10-8, 4-1 NEC) |
Robert Morris (8-9, 4-0 NEC) |
| Scoring Offense |
62.6 |
71.5 |
| Scoring Defense |
61.8 |
69.7 |
| Field-Goal % |
41.4% |
 43.8% |
| Field-Goal % Defense |
43.9% |
46.4% |
| 3-PT Field Goal % |
30.3% |
38.2% |
| 3-PT Field Goal % Defense |
33.0% |
31.0% |
| 3-PT Field Goals (Made-Attempts) |
132-436 |
162-421 |
| Free-Throw Percentage |
69.0% |
64.8% |
| Winning Percentage |
.556 |
.471 |
| Rebounding Margin |
-9.0 |
-0.8 |
| Assists/Game |
12.1 |
16.8 |
| Steals/Game |
10.6 |
6.8 |
| Turnovers/Game |
11.2 |
13.2 |
| Blocks/Game |
2.6 |
1.6 |
| Total Fouls |
308 |
300 |
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NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Merrimack joins Cal Baptist and North Alabama as programs going through the reclassification process to Division I. As part of the process, the Warriors will not be postseason eligible in the NEC and not be able to compete in the conference tournament; Merrimack will, however, count in the regular season standings and have an opportunity to claim a NEC Regular Season Championship. The Warriors also will not appear in the national statistics until the reclassification process completes ahead of the 2023-24 season. In men's basketball, the Warriors are eligible for select postseason tournament such as the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) and the College Insider Tournament (CIT).
THE NEW ASSIST KING
With six helpers on against Boston University on Sunday, Dec. 29,
Juvaris Hayes surpassed Darren Duncan '10 as the program's all-time assists leader. Hayes enters Saturday with 858 career helpers. He ranks second in the NEC in assists per game (5.8), trailing only Sacred Heart's Cameron Parker (8.2), who is third nationally in helpers.
PUTTING THE NEC IN THE ZONE
Led by the nation's leader in steals in
Juvaris Hayes (67), the Warriors' defense has dominated during NEC play. The Warriors led the conference in turnover margin (+6.4) and steals per game (11.8), averaging five more steals than any other team. Merrimack also has the league's best scoring defense at 60.0 points per game. Nationally, Merrimack ranks fourth in turnover margin (+5.9) and are tied for third in steals per game (10.6).
LOU HENSON AWARD MID-SEASON WATCHLIST
Another prestigious recognition bestowed to Hayes was a spot on the Lou Henson Award mid-season Watch List, which was announced last Thursday. The point guard was one of 50 players named to the list, which is given to the nation's top mid-major player at year's end. Hayes was one of three players from the NEC named on the watch list, as well.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Senior
Idris Joyner has led Merrimack in scoring in each of the last three games, becoming the eighth different Warrior to lead Merrimack in scoring this season. Joyner, Hayes, junior
Devin Jensen and sophomore
Mikey Watkins have led the team in scoring two times each. Senior
Jaleel Lord leads the way with five games as the team's top scorer. Merrimack is tied with Illinois State with the highest amount of scoring leaders nationwide.
DRIS IS COOKING IN CONFERENCE
Over his last four games, senior
Idris Joyner has scored in double figures and led Merrimack in scoring in each game including a career-high tying 16 points vs. Bryant. Joyner is averaging a team-best 12.4 points per game in NEC action, over four points higher than his average in non-league play.
Up Next:
Merrimack continues its trek through Western Pennsylvania with a date against Saint Francis University on Monday. The matinee tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
