NEW BRITAIN, CONN. – The Merrimack College men's basketball team pulled its record back to .500 after beating Central Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, 66-57. The Warriors were led by
Ziggy Reid who scored 20 points, which matched his season-high.
Mikey Watkins scored his season-high with 17 points. The senior point guard also had six rebounds.
Jordan Minor had a quite afternoon on the offensive side of the ball, scoring just eight points, but was a force defensively. The Kingston, Mass native had eight blocks, including one that was the 100
th of his Merrimack career.
The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 66, Central Connecticut 57
Records: Merrimack (8-8, 4-0 NEC) | Central Connecticut (4-12, 1-2 NEC)
Location: Detrick Gymnasium | New Britain, Conn.
Rapid Recap
- Minor got the scoring going for Merrimack with a quick two points on their first offensive possession. After a Blue Devil bucket, Jordan McKoy found the bottom of the net with a three to put Merrimack up by two. The Warriors then went on a nine-point run, highlighted by five points from Watkins. Central Connecticut responded by going on an eight-point run of its own to go down by one. Reid stopped the run with a deep three with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half. The Blue Devils answered with a three of their own. Both teams traded buckets back and forth. Nick Filchner hit a three to tie the game at 27 with four minutes to go in the half. Watkins went on a personal four-point run to send the Warriors up two scores. Merrimack went into the locker rooms up three.
- Malik Edmead scored two points on a hard take to the hoop to start off the second half. Central Connecticut tied the game up at 35. Watkins and Mykel Derring hit threes on back-to-back offensive possessions to put the Warriors up by six. Two free throws by Reid and a jumper by McKoy increased the Merrimack advantage to 10. Both teams started to trade baskets again. The Blue Devils did not let the Warriors lead get over seven, until another Deering three made it 10 again. Central Connecticut got the Merrimack advantage down to seven after a three. After a timeout, Reid found the bottom of the net from long range putting the lead back at 10. Some good free throw shooting down the stretch gave the Warriors a nine-point win.
Notes and Numbers
- With the eight blocks this afternoon, Minor is now just five behind former teammate Idris Joyner on the all-time list.
- With four conference wins, the Warriors sit atop the Northeast Conference (NEC) with Wagner College.
- Merrimack is undefeated this season when they shoot the ball above 48% from the field. The Warriors shot 49% this afternoon.
Up Next
The Warriors start a four-game home stand next Saturday when Saint Francis (PA) visits North Andover. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
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