Links: Box Score
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Freshman
Malik Edmead scored a career-high 23 points on Thursday afternoon to highlight the effort for the Merrimack College men's basketball program, but the Warriors suffered a 78-68 loss against Long Island University from the Steinberg Wellness Center. The conference defeat dropped Merrimack's overall record to 4-4 (4-4 NEC) while LIU improved to 5-3 (5-3 NEC).
The hosts used a strong opening half, leading by 17 at intermission, and an effective start to the second half to build a 25-point lead, 61-36, that proved too much for Merrimack. The Warriors did not bow out easily, however, scoring the game's final 13 points and 18 of the game's final 20 to pull within 10 at the final buzzer.
In addition to Edmead's performance, freshman
James Berry III and redshirt freshman
Ethan Helwig combined for 11 points to give Merrimack 34 points from its reserves. Sophomore
Jordan Minor finished with his fourth straight double-double, totaling 10 points and 12 rebounds. LIU controlled the glass, owning a 48-31 edge in rebounding including an 18-7 disparity on the offensive glass. The Sharks totaling 42 points in the paint and 15 second-chance points.
The Essentials
Score: LIU 78,
Merrimack 68
Records: Merrimack (4-4, 4-4 NEC) | LIU (5-3, 5-3 NEC)
Location: Steinberg Wellness Center | Brooklyn, N.Y.
Rapid Recap
- With Merrimack trailing 8-5 following a bucket from Minor, LIU used a 14-1 run over the next four points to take a 16-point advantage, 22-6, with 10:17 remaining. Sophomore Mykel Derring halted the run with a 3-pointer at the midway point of the half
- Derring's trey would be the Warriors' last bucket for another three-plus minutes as LIU would go on a 7-0 burst to grab a 20-point lead (29-9). Edmead came off the bench and scored four straight points, but LIU recovered to build its advantage up to 22 points, 37-15, with under four minutes to play. The Sharks took a 42-25 advantage to the locker room
- The first nine minutes of the second half saw LIU extend its lead to 25 points, the Sharks' largest of the day at that point, 61-36. The hosts were outscoring the visitors, 19-11, by the 11:13 mark of the second
- Edmead continued to play solid minutes for Merrimack in the second half, scoring on three straight possession at one point to bring the Warriors within 19, 61-42, with under 10 minutes to play. Despite facing a 76-50 hole with just 3:52 remaining, Merrimack ended the game strong by outscoring the Sharks, 18-2, including netting the game's final 13 points. Edmead scored seven of the 18 points, freshman James Berry III hit two 3-pointers and redshirt freshman Ethan Helwig chipped in five points of his own to account for the scoring during the run for the Warriors
Notes and Numbers
- Edmead's 23-point performance was the most by a freshman for Merrimack since Juvaris Hayes '20 netted 28 points in December of 2016. He set career highs in scoring, field goals made (10) and field goal attempts (18)
- Berry III played in his first collegiate action, shooting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc for his first collegiate points
- Helwig's five points in seven minutes also marked a new career high. The reserve guard made shot 2-of-2 from the field, including making his first-ever 3-pointer
- Minor became the first Warrior to have four consecutive double-doubles since Justin Leith '04 accomplished that feat in 2002
- Merrimack and LIU split its conference series for the second time in as many years. The Sharks own a 3-2 lead in the overall all-time series
Up Next
Merrimack plays Wagner College for two games this week on Staten Island. Saturday's action begins at 7 p.m. while Sunday's tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
