Mercy University Athletics

Bender had a strong month of January for the Mavericks, averaging 16.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as Mercy went 5-3 during the month. The senior played a key role in the Mavericks starting 8-0 in conference play for the first time ever and getting off to their best overall start in over 30 years. The one-time ECC Honor Roll recipient during the month opened the month with 19 points and five rebounds in Mercy’s win at Molloy on January 10th. Bender later scored a career-high 26 points with five rebounds in the Mavericks win over UDC on January 15th. The guard followed that up with 20 points and seven rebounds in the win over Queens on January 19th. The senior then posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win over D’Youville on January 21st. Bender also scored 15 points with a season-high six steals against Daemen on January 23rd and ended the month with 14 points and six assists against Bridgeport on January 30th.