POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Freshman
Kevair Kennedy scored 20 points and junior
Ernest Shelton had 18 as the first-place Merrimack men's basketball defeated Marist 68-55 Monday.
Kennedy had his sixth 20-point game in the last 10 contests, and seventh of the season as the Warriors improved to 8-1 in the MAAC, tied in first place with Saint Peter's. Marist entered the game 6-2 in the MAAC, one game behind the Warriors and on a five-game winning streak.
Sophomore
Tye Dorset had 17 points, making two 3-pointers, for his fourth time in double-figures in the last five games.
The Warriors defense held Marist to 4-of-17 (23.5%) shooting from and held the Red Foxes 17.9 points below their season average.
"They've got some good paint guys, we knew we were going to give up some shots in the paint," Merrimack head coach
Joe Gallo said. "But we wanted to make them tough 2s, not just lay-ins. It was a great game, both teams really defended."
Kennedy continued his tear through MAAC play as he is averaging 19.4 points per game in conference play, having scored at least 17 points, in all but one conference game.
"In the first half, it was a little rocky, but my teammates, they were knocking shots down and that opened up the floor for me, and made it easy," Kennedy said.
"Kev to me, he's playing like a junior as a freshman," Gallo said. "You have to speed up the learning curve a little bit."
Andres Marrero had seven points, making 3-of-4 field goals and 1-of-1 3-pointers and KC Ugwaukazi had four points, making 2-of-3 field goals.
The Warriors visit Iona on Thursday at 7 p.m. It will mark the 23rd time in 29 MAAC games that Merrimack has entered the contest in first place.
