Merrimack Slips Past Marist University

By Mike Ferraro

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – The fifth-seeded Marist University men’s basketball team was defeated by a score of 58-57 top-seeded Merrimack in the semifinal round of the Air Force Reserve Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Championship at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

First Half
There were three leads and two ties in the first 3:16.

Merrimack took an 11-6 lead as Marist was held scoreless for 3:21.

The Warriors’ lead reached eight at the 12:35 mark, but Rhyjon Blackwell’s three brought Marist to within one at 18-17 with 7:20 left in the half.

Over the next six minutes, neither team scored more than three points in a row.

With 50 seconds remaining in the first half, Blackwell’s layup tied the score at 28. However, Todd Brogna hit two free throws on the ensuing possession, and Merrimack took a 30-28 lead to the locker room.

Second Half
Blackwell hit a three on the first possession of the half to put Marist up 31-30, but Merrimack then scored eight in a row, forcing a Marist timeout at the 17:54 mark.

Marist answered with a 6-0 run to get within one, which included four straight points from Jaden Daughtry.

Blackwell’s three tied the game at 40 with 15 minutes to play, but Merrimack responded with a 7-0 run.

The Warriors tied their largest lead of eight with 9:02 to go, but the Red Foxes countered with five in a row to get within three at the 8:14 mark.

Jadin Collins-Roberts’ layup gave Marist a 53-52 lead with 4:45 to go, but Tye Dorset’s three on the ensuing possession put Marist back in front.

Justin Menard’s layup tied the game at 55 with 2:40 to go, and Rhyjon Blackwell’s floater in the lane put Marist up two with 1:50 left. Dorset’s three on the next possession put Merrimack back up, 58-57.

This proved to be the final score, as neither time was able to score in the final 1:25.