Jack Lawhorne, Joey Motroni – Student Reporters
North Andover, MA – The Merrimack Men’s Basketball team (4–6) opened up conference play in the MAAC Thursday night at Lawler Arena with a narrow 68–66 win over Rider (1–6).
The Warriors entered the matchup looking to build some momentum after an up-and-down past week of action that saw them go 1–2 as part of the Cathedral Classic.
While Rider’s win to loss ratio is certainly nothing to write home over, the record doesn’t tell the full story. The Broncs played four teams from major conferences (Virginia, Rutgers, Texas, Houston) and picked up losses in each game. But at the same time, their only win is over a Division-III school — Eastern University. It was difficult to say the least to get a convincing read on this Rider team, as well as Merrimack, who played Florida and Auburn in their own right. Thursday night’s showdown would offer the first clear viewing of both teams.
The entire first half was a back-and-forth affair, which the Warriors would lead by as much as five before taking a 37–33 lead into the locker room.
Kevair Kennedy was the motor for the Warriors on offense, finishing the first half with 17 points on 62.5% (5/8) shooting from the field, along with 50% (1/2) from beyond the arc. Kennedy also provided the Warriors with strong defensive intensity in the middle part of the first, collecting three steals, which helped the Warriors grab the lead. When asked about Kennedy’s first half, Head Coach Joe Gallo said postgame, “Kev carried us in the first half. Other guys stepped up in the second half.”
Andres Marrero erupted for 16 points in the second half, finishing with a game-high 23 points (9–14 FG).
While Rider’s size was an advantage for them (41–19 rebounds, 34–24 points in paint), the Warriors shot an impressive 38% from three-point range on 29 attempts and turned defense into offense all night — winning the turnover battle 15–8 and outscoring Rider off those turnovers 23–7.
MC extended their lead to as much as eight in the second, but the Broncs stayed the course, tying the game at 51 with 9:25 on the clock before taking the lead with 7:25 remaining.
Both teams would trade edges for a few minutes, and Merrimack found themselves down by a point in the final moments before Andres Marrero and Tye Dorset sent Lawler into a frenzy, combining for three huge triples in a row to take a 68–60 advantage.
However, Rider refused to go away — drilling two three-pointers of their own in the final minute while Merrimack missed multiple shots at the foul line. But in the end, the Warriors pulled it out by a score of 68–66.
“We have a very very mature group… almost stoic at times,” said Gallo post-game. “In those moments, Kev plays like he’s played 100 college basketball games with his poise, Dre has played 100 games, Ernest Shelton played a ton of games at Gannon and Todd Brogna’s played a ton of games… even though you get a ton of transfers nowadays who are new to your system, these guys have experience… and ten games in, now we’ve seen it all… we’ve learned a lot, especially after this past weekend.”
“We’re really close to being a really really good team,” added Gallo. “It’s four or five possessions on both sides and we can really take the next jump.”
Merrimack hosts Fairfield back at Lawler Sunday afternoon at 1 pm ET before heading to Princeton Wednesday and Vermont next weekend.
