Anthony J. Borgonzi – Undergraduate Communications Student
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – After securing a 73-63 statement win against a Quinnipiac team that had just clinched the MAAC regular season title, the Warriors aimed to carry their momentum into the regular season finale as they traveled to Marist University to take on the Red Foxes at McCann Arena last night. Coming into the game, the Red Foxes held the two seed in the MAAC, as Merrimack trailed by a half game in the standings sitting in the third seed. This game had conference tournament implications, as a Merrimack win would keep the two seed in play for conference tournament seeding.
Marist came out of the gates hot, as they shot 4-5 from the field in the first three minutes, taking a 9-5 lead from a John Pascarelli three which prompted Coach Gallo to call a quick timeout three minutes into the game. Pascarelli, a 42% three point shooter, is the Red Foxes best player and Coach Gallo knows how quick he can get going from beyond the arch. The Warriors regrouped and held Pascarelli to just one more made shot throughout the game, limiting one of the best players in the MAAC to his season-low 6 points.
Coming out of the timeout, the Warriors traded buckets with the Red Foxes for another two minutes. That was until the Warriors went on a 14-0 killshot run early in the first half, taking an early 24-11 lead with 12:47 remaining in the first half. This run was fueled by four forced turnovers converting into a shared offensive output from Budd Clark, Tye Dorset, Matt Becht, Devon Savage, and Bryan Etumnu.
Over the next 8 minutes, the Warriors went cold from the field and the Red Foxes were able to put together a 16-2 run to find themselves right back in this game, taking a 27-26 lead with 4:15 to play in the first half.
However the Warriors quickly responded, sparked by a Malik Edmead three assisted by Budd Clark to take a 29-27 lead. The Warriors did not trail the rest of the night, as Clark was able to set up Bryan Etumnu for a massive three pointer with :02 seconds remaining in the half to take a 32-27 lead into halftime. The Warriors closed the half strong as they came out of the final media timeout on a crucial 6-0 run.
Coming out of halftime, the Warriors defense continued to play with great physicality and intensity as they were able to string together four consecutive stops while converting five of six trips on offense fueled by Sean Trumper. This sequence led Merrimack to its second killshot run of the game as they were able to take a commanding 42-27 lead three minutes into the half.
The Warriors did not look back from there as they defeated the Red Foxes 75-53 decisively, as the closest the Red Foxes were able to cut the lead to was 9 points for a brief moment in the half. The Warriors were able to fend off any threat of a comeback with their lockdown defense that forced 20 turnovers! The Merrimack defense got their hands on every pass, forcing 15 steals as a unit led by freshman Tye Dorset who grabbed four steals on the night. The Red Foxes were in jail, as they were held to 52 points on the night which is a season low for this Marist squad that had a 20-5 record at the end of February.
On the offensive side of the ball, it was an efficient performance as the team shot 50% from the field and three point range! Putting together one of their most complete offensive performances for the second game in a row led by Budd Clark who poured in 22 points and dished out 10 assists for the double-double. Three point specialists Matt Becht and Devon Savage both had efficient shooting nights as they both were able to knock down a pair of threes. While Sean Trumper and Bryan Etumnu combined for an efficient 25 points, each knocking down a three to keep the Red Foxes defense honest.
While Malik Edmead and Tye Dorset were reliable pieces off the bench to give the starters some rest. The two shot a combined 60% from the floor, each knocking down a three while providing meaningful minutes off the bench. Edmead and Dorsets energy off the bench combined for 7 steals, not letting up defensively when our starters needed a short rest. While 5’10 Malik Edmead tied the team high with 4 rebounds, perfectly representing the attitude of this Warriors team.
With back-to-back dominant performances against two of the MAAC’s top teams, the Warriors are hitting their stride at the perfect time. Merrimack’s stifling defense, balanced scoring, and high-energy play have propelled them to a strong finish as they now set their sights on Atlantic City for the MAAC conference tournament early next week. With the team playing its most complete basketball of the season, the Warriors are poised to make a deep run.
Merrimack can move into the #2 seed with a Mount St. Mary’s win or will stay the #3 seed with a Marist University win this Sunday. Stay tuned for our conference tournament preview once the bracket is set on Sunday night!
