Four Mavericks Score in Double Figures as Men's Basketball Plays Host to Bridgeport
Box Score VALHALLA, N.Y. (Jan. 21, 2017) – Despite four different Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy College men's basketball team suffered a 99-83 setback to ECC opponent University of Bridgeport on Saturday afternoon at Westchester Community College.
The Mavericks (2-16, 0-10 ECC) remain winless in ECC play, while the Purple Knights (10-8, 6-3 ECC) have won three games in a row.
Senior William Robinson (Mount Vernon, N.Y./Nyack College) led Mercy with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while sophomore Amir Atkins (Alexandria, Va./Hagerstown CC) recorded a season-high 15 points off the bench. Freshman Daniel Kissoon (Jamaica, N.Y./Springfield Gardens) continued his strong play and set a new career high in points for the third straight game with 14 points. Senior Raphael Jennings (Washington, D.C./ASA College) rounded out the four Mavericks scoring in double figures with 14 points and four assists on 5-of-7 shooting. Junior Kelvin Howard (Temple Hills, Md./Baltimore City CC) nearly recorded a double-double with nine points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Bridgeport had six players score in double figures with Sam Joseph leading the way with a game-high 18 points.
Mercy held a 4-2 lead at the 18:54 mark of the first half after baskets from Jennings and Robinson to begin the game. Bridgeport bounced back and went on a 29-11 run to take their largest lead of the first half, 31-15, with eight minutes left before halftime.
The Purple Knights held a 38-25 advantage with 4:44 remaining before intermission, but the Mavericks got back within striking distance as they followed with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to just six, 38-32. Bridgeport ended the half on a 9-2 run to take a 47-34 lead into halftime.
Bridgeport continued to apply pressure towards Mercy in the second half and began the second stanza on a 15-6 run to increase their lead to 62-40 with 15:32 remaining in the contest. However, the Mavericks quickly responded with nine unanswered to get within 13, 62-49, with just under 14 minutes left.
That would be the closest Mercy could get as the Purple Knights ensued with an 18-6 run to take their largest lead of the game, 80-55, with 9:23 left. The Mavericks continued to play hard but could get no closer than 16 points as Bridgeport came away with the victory.
Mercy shot 42.6 percent (23-of-54) from the floor, 40.0 percent (6-of-15) from downtown and 77.5 percent (31-of-40) from the foul line. Bridgeport shot an impressive 62.3 percent (38-of-61) from the field, 50.0 percent (6-of-12) from long distance and 68.0 percent (17-of-25) from the charity stripe. The Purple Knights held a 34-27 edge on the boards and a 26-20 advantage in points off turnovers.
Head Coach Dr. Jody King and the Mavericks continue their search for their first ECC win when they host Queens College on Wednesday, January 25th at 7:30 p.m. at Westchester Community College.
