Men’s Basketball Earns Wire-to-Wire Victory Over Bucknell

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS.  – The Merrimack College men's basketball team had the lead for the entire game on Friday afternoon against Bucknell University, winning 68-52. Jordan Derkack led the Warriors with 21 points. The sophomore guard also had seven assists, six rebounds and five steals in the victory. Devon Savage had 16 points off the bench after knocking down four threes. Jaylen Stinson was the third Merrimack player in double figures with 13 points.

The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 68, Bucknell 52
Records: Merrimack (6-7) | Bucknell (3-9)
Location: Lawler Arena

Rapid Recap

• The Warriors started the game on a six-point run capped off by a fastbreak dunk from Derkack. With 15 minutes to play in the first, Savage would hit his first three of the night to put Merrimack up nine. A Jacob O'Connell dunk followed by a Stinson three would make the advantage 14. After some back and forth play from both teams for a number of minutes, Merrimack was still up by 14 with five minutes to go until halftime. Derkack would knock down his only three of the night to put the Warriors on top by 17. Stinson would hit a free throw towards the end of the half to put Merrimack up 18 heading into the locker room.
• A Derkack dunk off a fastbreak would put the Warriors up by 20. A minute later, Savage would score on a layup to make the advantage 22 points. The Bison would battle back too cut the lead back down to 18. Jordan McKoy would find the bottom of the net with a three to make the lead 21. With 10  minutes left in the game, Savage would knock down a three to out Merrimack up 26. With four and a half minutes left in the game Bucknell got the lead down to 19 points. Savage would get his finally three of the day to send the lead up to 22. The Bison would get the Merrimack lead down to 15, but could not compete the comeback.

 
Notes and Numbers

• Derkack's five steals tied his career-high.
• With the win today, Merrimack tied its best non-conference win total in the Division I era. The Warriors also had six wins during the 2019-20 season. 
• McKoy finished the game with six points.
• The Warriors forced 20 Bison turnovers. They scored 28 points off the turnovers.

Up Next
Merrimack will be back in action after the holiday break on December 30 against Boston University. Game time is set for 2 p.m.