DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Dec. 6, 2023) – Despite four Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy University men's basketball team dropped an 81-61 decision to ECC foe College of Staten Island on Wednesday night at the Neil Judge Student Athlete Center.

The Mavericks (0-9, 0-2 ECC) remain winless on the season, while the Dolphins (6-3, 3-0 ECC) remain unbeaten in ECC play.

Mercy was led by senior Jayden Dewaal (Toronto, Canada/Trinidad State Junior College) who had a team-high-tying 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting with a team-high 12 rebounds. Sophomore Asa Kone (Bronx, N.Y./Eagle Academy for Young Men) added 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting with three blocks and senior Braelon Joe (Houston, Texas/Monroe College) scored 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting with four assists. Senior Jay Turner (Waterbury, Conn./Notre Dame West Haven Prep) produced a season-high 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting and graduate student Garrett Kirkland (Springdale, Md./Bishop McNamara) netted eight points.

Staten Island was led by Messiah Mallory who had a game-high 16 points and 13 rebounds.

The Dolphins opened the game on a 16-4 run to take a 16-4 lead with 13:45 left in the first half. A Turner layup at the 12:54 mark made it 16-6, but Staten Island followed with a 14-5 run to increase their lead to 19, 30-11, with 5:44 left in the half.

Staten Island later increased the lead to 20, 38-18, after a Bryce Waterman three and headed into halftime with a 40-21 lead.

Back-to-back baskets from Taj Chiles (Harlem, N.Y./University of Bridgeport) and Kone to open the second half cut the deficit to 15, 40-25, at the 17:37 mark. The Dolphins built the lead back to 17, 42-25, before a three-point play from Kone made it 42-28 with 16:37 left.

The Dolphins stormed back on an 11-3 run to take a 22-point lead, 53-31, with 11:51 left. The Mavericks later cut the Staten Island lead to 16, 60-44, following a Turner layup with 6:26 remaining. The Dolphins would answer with a 13-5 run to take their largest lead of the game, 73-49, with 3:08 left in the game.

A Kirkland three with 1:59 left brought the Mavericks back to within 16, 73-57, but that would be the closest Mercy could get as Staten Island led by double digits the rest of the way to earn the 81-61 win.

Mercy shot 37.9 percent (25-of-66) from the floor, 26.3 percent (5-of-19) from downtown and 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from the foul line. Staten Island shot 41.7 percent (30-of-72) from the field, 31.3 percent (10-of-32) from beyond the arc and 91.7 percent (11-of-12) from the charity stripe. Staten Island held a 47-38 edge on the glass.

Head Coach Chris Watts and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, December 9th when they play at UDC at 3 p.m.