Links: Box Score |
Highlights |
Postgame Press Conference
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Sophomore
Jordan Minor notched his second double-double in as many days and junior
Mikey Watkins scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half to carry the Merrimack College men's basketball program to a 76-71 come-from-behind win over Fairleigh Dickinson University on Friday evening. The Warriors improved to 3-3 (3-3 NEC) while the Knights fell to 2-8 (1-3 NEC).
Merrimack faced a 40-32 halftime deficit, but methodically worked their way back into the game. The Warriors closed within one, 44-43, with 14 minutes to play, but did not take the lead until the waning minutes. Sophomore
Mykel Derring tied the game, 64-all, with under three minutes left to start an 8-0 run that decided the outcome. Watkins connected on two straight driving layups, and sophomore
Ziggy Reid hit a two-pointer of his own to complete the run and give the Warriors a 70-64 edge with 40 seconds to play
Minor finished with a career-high tying 20 points and career-high setting 13 rebounds. Watkins shot 7-of-11 from the field while adding six rebounds, six assists and three steals to post a well-rounded effort. Five Warriors finished in double figures overall. The Knights had three players post at least 10 points, including a team-best 19 for senior Jahlil Jenkins.
The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 76, Fairleigh Dickinson 71
Records: Merrimack (3-3, 3-3 NEC) | Fairleigh Dickinson (2-8, 1-3 NEC)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, Mass.
Rapid Recap
- A high-scoring first 20 minutes played out at Hammel Court on Friday. By the midway point of the first half, FDU held a 20-14 lead. It was a two-point game, 14-12, before a quick 6-2 scamper over a two-minute span increased the Knight's lead to six
- With its deficit at nine, 29-21, back-to-back buckets from senior Devin Jensen and Minor created a 5-0 burst to bring the Warriors within one possession, 29-26, with 5:10 to play in the first half. The Knights controlled the final five minutes, however, scoring 11 of the final 16 points to build their lead back to eight. FDU led, 40-22, at intermission
- Merrimack started the second half on an 11-4 stretch to climb within one, 44-43. Minor scored nine of the team's 11 points of run. FDU recovered, however, extended its lead back to seven, 55-48, with 11 minutes remaining
- The see-saw swung the other way over the next three minutes, with Merrimack making it a one-possession game once more. Jensen hit a triple to start the stretch, and another Minor bucket saw the Warriors make it a 58-57 contest with 8:22 remaining
- Over the next five minutes, the margin remained at one possession. Neither team scored over a near four-minute span until Derring hit a long jumper to knot the score at 64 points apiece. Merrimack scored on its next four possessions during the aforementioned 8-0 run to take the lead for good. Down the stretch, Merrimack went 6-of-6 from the line to guarantee the win
Notes and Numbers
- Merrimack has won all four of its games against FDU since joining the NEC
- Minor now has double-doubles in two straight games and in three of the last six contests. His two 20-point performances are the highest scoring of any Warrior this season. He added a career-high five assists and three blocks
- Watkins tied his career high in assists (6) and rebounds (6), while scoring in double figures for the fifth time in six contests
- McKoy scored in double figures for the second time in three games, and added a career-best seven rebounds
- Merrimack dominated the interior, outscoring FDU by 18 in the paint, 40-22
- All three of Merrimack's wins this season have come after trailing at halftime
- Jensen added two steals to give him 15 steals through six games. He had 20 all of last season
Up Next
Merrimack will be back in action next week to continue NEC play.
