RIVERDALE, N.Y. (Jan. 6, 2018) - Powered by four Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy College men's basketball team earned an 82-64 victory over the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia in ECC action on Saturday evening at the Peter Jay Sharp Center.

The Mavericks (7-7, 3-3 ECC) improve to .500 overall and in ECC play, while the Firebirds (1-12, 0-5 ECC) remain winless in ECC play.

The Mavericks were led by junior Dequawne Richards (Bronx, N.Y./Hostos CC), who recorded a game high 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Senior Marko Kozul (Astoria, N.Y. / Felician University) contributed 19 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block. Junior Sal Barbetto (New City, N.Y. / Rockland CC) also scored in the double digits, recording 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Junior Chris Myers (Hackensack, N.J. / Southeastern CC) rounded out the double digits with twelve points, six assists, and five rebounds.

The Firebirds were led by Maurice Walters, who finished the night with 13 points, five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal. Traevon Butler added 12 points, five rebounds, two blocks and one assist for the Firebirds.

The opening stanza saw the Mavericks get on the board first, as Myers was able to execute on a layup in the first fifteen seconds of action. The Firebirds recorded five unanswered points before junior Amir Atkins (Alexandra, Va. / Hagerstown CC) hit a three pointer to tie the game back up at 5-5 with 15:32 to go. Two Firebird free throws and a three pointer from Paul Eromosele would give the visitors a 10-5 lead, however it was not for long as just ten seconds later Barbetto sunk a three point shot to bring the game back within two points. The two teams continued to battle, with the score eventually being tied 21-21 with 6:14 to go before halftime. Mercy was able to record sixteen more points in the remaining time compared to the Firebirds eight, giving them a 36-29 lead entering the half.  

Barbetto was the first to score in the second half, hitting a jump shot at the 19:23 mark. Danny Shand answered quickly for the Firebirds, nailing a three point shot just ten seconds later. The game remained back and forth, with neither team able to score more than four points in a row. A pair of layups from Kozol at the seven minute mark would put the Mavericks up 69-53. The Firebirds continued to fight, but could not out score the Mavericks. Mercy eventually earned the 82-64 victory over the University of the District of Columbia.

Mercy shot 46.2 percent (30-of-65) from the floor, 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from downtown and 82.4 percent (14-of-17) from the foul line. The Firebirds shot 41.7 percent (25-of-60) from the floor, 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from beyond the arc and 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the charity stripe.

Head Coach Michael Maczko and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, January 10th when they travel to Queens College for an East Coast Conference matchup set for 7:30 p.m.