Men’s Basketball Opens Northeast Conference Play with Win Over FDU

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS.  – The Merrimack College men's basketball team beat FDU in a Northeast Conference championship game rematch on Thursday night 60-56. Jordan Derkack was the lone Warrior in double figures with 21 points. The sophomore guard also had six assists and five rebounds in the victory.

The Essentials
Score: Merrimack 60, FDU 56
Records: Merrimack (7-8) | FDU (6-9)
Location: Lawler Arena

Rapid Recap

• After two quick points from the Knights to open the game, Samba Diallo knocked down a three to give Merrimack a one-point lead. FDU then responded with a five-point run to go up four. Diallo then scored again to push the lead down to four. The Warriors then tied the game at nine with 14 minutes to play. Both teams then battled back and forth for a number of minutes, tying the game multiple times. With seven minutes to play Derkack found a lane for two, giving Merrimack a two-point lead. Jordan McKoy then found the bottom of the net with a three to push the lead up to five. With two minutes to play before halftime, Jacob O'Connell scored on the jumper in the lane to give the Warriors their biggest lead of seven. FDU would head into halftime down by six.
• After a Knight three to start the second half shrunk the Merrimack lead to three, Devon Savage hit his first three of the game to put the Warriors back up six. Two minutes into the half FDU would have the lead down to one. Merrimack then went on a five-point run to push the lead back up to six. The Knights would then go on a seven-point run to flip the game and go up by one. Adam "Budd" Clark stopped the run with a three. With nine minutes to play the game was tied at 45. FDU would go on a six-point run to go up two scores. Merrimack responded by going on a six-point run of their own to tie the game at 51. With a minute and a half left the Warriors found themselves up five. A three by the Knights cut the lead down to two with a minute to play. Good free show shooting down the stretch from Derkack would give the Warriors a four-point victory.

 
Notes and Numbers

• With the win, Merrimack has now won 12 straight games at home dating back to last season.  
• Savage finished the game with six points and six rebounds.
• The Warriors forced 20 Terrier turnovers. They scored 25 points off the turnovers.

Up Next
Merrimack get right back to action on Saturday afternoon against Sacred Heart University in Lawler Arena. Game time is set for 3 p.m.