Box Score
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Merrimack College men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season to Rutgers University, 48-35 on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors were up seven at halftime.
Mikey Watkins scored a team-high 12 points for Merrimack.
Jordan Minor came close to having his first double-double of the season, scoring nine points and pulling down eight rebounds. The Warrior zone defense forced 13 Scarlet Knights turnovers.
The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 35, Rutgers 48
Records: Merrimack (2-1) | Rutgers (0-1)
Location: Jersey Mike's Arena | Piscataway, N.J.
Rapid Recap
- In a game in which offense was a premium the Warriors jumped to an early 4-0 lead after a lay in and jump shot by Devin Jensen. Rutgers tied the game up at four, then added a free throw to take a one-point lead. Jordan McKoy knocked down a three to put Merrimack up two. A Watkins jumper tied the game at nine. Both teams went back and forth in the first 10 minutes with four lead changes. An emphatic Minor dunk with just over five minutes to play put the Warriors up four and caused the Scarlet Knights to call a timeout. Rutgers cut the lead to two, before Watkins knocked down a jump shot and Ziggy Reid hit a three to give Merrimack a six-point advantage. Back-to-back successful possessions for Rutgers cut the lead to three. Watkins knocked down a deep three and Jensen hit a free throw to put Merrimack up by seven heading into the locker room.
- Minor cut through the lane a scored on the first Warrior shot of the second half. After a three by Rutgers. Minor found the lane again and scored on a lay in to give Merrimack a five-point lead. Three free throws for the Scarlet Knights tied the game at 27 with just under 14 minutes left to play. Watkins hit another 15-footer to put the Warriors up again by two. Rutgers went on a 12-0 run to go up by 11 with five minutes to play. A Watkins jumper got the lead down to nine with just under five to go. The Warriors were unable to complete the comeback and lost the game by 13.
Notes and Numbers
- There were six ties and five lead changes during today's game.
- The Warriors held Rutgers to 31.3 % from the field and 28.6 % from long range.
- Merrimack held the Scarlet Knights to 48 points which is their lowest point total in 20 games.
Up Next
The Warriors jump back on the road to face Army on Wednesday. Game time in West Point is set for 6 p.m.
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