Men’s Basketball Earns Tie For First in Victory Over Saint Francis

LORETTO, PA. – The Merrimack College men's basketball team earned a share of first place in the Northeast Conference with its 75-68 victory over Saint Francis (PA) on Saturday. Ziggy Reid was the leading scorer for the Warriors with 18 points. Javon Bennett added 15 points and five assists for Merrimack. Both Jordan Derkack and Jordan Minor scored 12 points in the victory.

The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 75, Saint Francis (PA) 68
Records: Merrimack (11-16, 9-4 NEC) Saint Francis (PA) (9-16, 6-6 NEC)
Location: Maurice Strokes Athletics Center

Rapid Recap

• The Warriors jumped out to a quick eight-point lead, which included four points from Reid. Three minutes into the game the Red Flash knocked down a three to go down five. Derkack found the bottom of the net with a three to push the lead back up to eight. Reid hit a three to increase the advantage to nine for Merrimack. With 13 minutes to play Saint Francis got the Warrior lead down to four. Jordan McKoy hit a three to push it back up to seven. With 10 minutes to go until halftime the score was tied at 19. Bennett hit a three giving the lead back to Merrimack. The Red Flash responded with a three of their own, tying the game at 22. Both teams would battle for a good portion of the rest of the first half. With two minutes to go until halftime, Devon Savage knocked down a jumper to put the Warriors up three. After a Saint Francis score, Savage would launch a three quarter court shot that would bank in, giving the Warriors a five-point lead heading into halftime.
• Out of the gate, the Red Flash would tie the game at 36. After both teams would score the game was then tied at 38. The Warriors would then go on an eight point run to go up seven. Saint Francis would come back to get the leas by one. Reid knocked down a three to snatch the lead back for Merrimack. With the score tied at 49, McKoy would hit is second three of the night. Both teams battled not letting the other get a higher lead then three. With five minutes to play Saint Francis found themselves with a five-point advantage. Minor would score to cut it to three. After a Red Flash free throw, Minor would convert a three-point play to put the Warriors down one. Merrimack would then jump on an eight-point run to flip the game and go up seven. Saint Francis tried to battle back, but the Warriors proved to be too much on Saturday.

Notes and Numbers

• Derkack finished the game with a team-high five steals.
• Savage grabbed 10 rebounds in the victory.
• Merrimack forced 15 turrnovers.

Up Next
The Warriors get back to action on Thursday night against the University of Hartford. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.