BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Nov. 10, 2024) – Despite four Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy University men's basketball team dropped an 83-69 decision to Post University on Sunday afternoon at Harvey Hubbell Gym.
The Mavericks (0-2) remain winless on the year, while the regionally-ranked Eagles (2-0) open their season with two straight wins.
Mercy was led by sophomore Shedrach Makanjuola (Boston, Mass./Quincy College) who had a game-high 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting with four rebounds. Freshman Nathan Robertson (Boston, Mass./The Winchendon School) added 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting with five rebounds and junior TJ Holloway (Stratford, Conn./Central Connecticut State University) recorded 12 points and four rebounds. Senior Taj Chiles (Harlem, N.Y./University of Bridgeport) netted 11 points and seven rebounds and freshman Ethan Robertson (Boston, Mass./The Winchendon School) produced six points and seven rebounds. Senior Max Mitchell (Westport, Conn./Roberts Wesleyan University) contributed five points.
Post was led by Bol Akot who had a team-high 20 points.
Post jumped out to a 7-2 lead at the 17:22 mark of the first half before Mercy scored four straight points to make it 7-6. The Eagles later increased their lead back to five, 13-8, with 14:03 on the clock before the Mavericks came back on a 9-0 run to take a 17-13 lead following a Makanjuola layup with 7:04 left in the half.
The Eagles followed with a 13-0 run to take a 26-17 lead at the 2:02 mark and headed into halftime with a 30-21 lead.
Makanjuola opened the second half with two free throws to make it 30-23 before Post scored five points in a row to take a 35-23 lead with 18:12 left to play. Two Ethan Robertson free throws later cut the deficit to 10, 37-27, at the 17:08 mark before Post responded with a 24-13 run to take a 61-40 lead with 7:56 remaining.
Mercy continued to battle and followed with a 22-12 run to cut the Post lead to 11, 73-62, with 2:41 on the clock after a Chiles layup. The Eagles recorded the next four points to increase the lead back to 15, 77-62, with 2:18 left. A Mitchell three with 24 seconds left made it 80-69, but Post scored the final three points of the game to earn the 83-69 win.
Mercy shot 44.6 percent (25-for-56) from the floor, 23.5 percent (4-for-17) from downtown and 75.0 percent (15-for-20) from the foul line. Post shot 45.0 percent (27-for-60) from the field, 25.0 percent (7-for-28) from beyond the arc and 84.6 percent (22-for-26) from the charity stripe. Mercy held a 30-29 edge on the glass.
Head Coach Chris Watts and the Mavericks resume action on Tuesday when they play at Division I Manhattan in an Exhibition at 7 p.m.
