ALBANY, NY –
Ernest Shelton scored 17 points and
Kevair Kennedy had 14 points and six assists as the Merrimack men's basketball team remained perfect (6-0) in MAAC play with a 63-59 win at Siena on Friday night at the MVP Arena.
Siena entered the game 10-5 and 3-1 in the MAAC, but Merrimack went on a 19-2 run in the first half to open up a 29-10 lead. And the Warriors defense continued to make chaos in the MAAC, holding the Saints to 69 points, the eighth time in the last nine games that Merrimack has held the opponent to 66 points or less. The Warriors improved to 20-6 in two seasons of MAAC regular-season play.
"That's a great road win against a really good team," Merrimack head coach
Joe Gallo said. "I thought we had a great week of practice and came out really ready to play."
Shelton made four 3-pointers for his fifth-straight game with at least three 3-pointers and Kennedy scored in double-figures for the 15th time in 16 collegiate games, as Merrimack (10-7, 6-0) won its fourth-straight and for the eighth time in the last nine games.
KC Ugwuakazi scored a season-high 12 points, making 6-of-9 field goals, and grabbed eight rebounds. His tip-in with 5:24 left in the first half capped an 19-2 run that put Merrimack up 29-10.
Todd Brogna scored eight points, making 3-of-4 field goals and 2-of-3 3-pointers. Sophomore
Tye Dorset had a big four-point play as Siena was starting to fight its way back into the game in the second half.
"It's time to get some rest and get ready for another road challenge against a tough and talented St. Peter's team," Gallo said.
The Warriors head down to Jersey City for a match-up with St. Peter's on Sunday at 2 p.m.
