BOSTON – Ernest Shelton tied a Merrimack school record with 9 three-pointers and the Warriors tied the MAAC record with 19 trifectas in a 91-79 win at Boston University Saturday afternoon.
Shelton made 9-of-12 three-pointers and 10-of-13 field goals on his way to a career-high 33 points, as Merrimack snapped BU's 12-game home winning streak. The Warriors connected on 19-of-30 three-pointers tying for the MAAC record with two performances by Iona on March 8, 2015 and Dec. 1, 2015.
Shelton tied the school record of three-pointers, held by three former Warriors. Gary Duda (Feb. 8, 1992), Matt Van Leeuwen (March 7, 1999) and Ryan Boutler (Jan. 30, 2017) also made 9 three-pointers in a game.
"This is obviously a big win, especially with 10 new guys, to see the fruits of labor," Merrimack head coach
Joe Gallo said. "We play such a tough schedule and with a bunch of new guys, it's great to see success. That first win is probably the most important. It will go a long way in helping them believe that the work we are doing, is making a difference."
Shelton led five Warriors in double-figures, continuing a hot streak with his third-straight game with 20 or more points. He now has 17 three-pointers in the last three games.
"He's been on a shooting tear, but this was a little bit on a different planet," Gallo said. "But he's a shooter, it's something we've been seeing everyday since the summer. Every time it comes out of hand, you think it's going in."
Freshman
Kevair Kennedy had his first career double-double with a career-highs in points (16) and rebounds (11) and was just two assists (8) shy of a triple-double. Andrés Marrero had 14 points, making 5-of-8 field goals.
Tye Dorset (13 points) and
Todd Brogna (11 points) each made 3-of-6 three-pointers.
This was Merrimack's second-straight win over BU, and first at Case Gym. After four-straight home games to start the season, the Warriors play their home opener on Wednesday night at Lawler Arena at 7:30 p.m.
