PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Despite a combined 52 points from junior Jordan Trahan (New Orleans, La./Odessa College) and sophomore Kohen Rowbatham (Slidell, La./University of New Orleans) in their Mercy debuts, the Mercy University Men's Basketball Team opened its 2025-26 season with a 96-85 loss to Holy Family University on Friday night at the Gallagher Center.
The Mavericks (0-1) fall in Head Coach Charles Marquardt's debut, while the Tigers (1-0) win their season opener.
Mercy opened the first half with a strong start, thanks to Trahan's dunk at 18:24, quickly answering Holy Family's early 3-point lead. Trahan contributed significantly, adding free throws and a tip-in to help keep the score competitive. Rowbatham further supported Mercy by scoring crucial points, including a jumper at 12:15 to give Mercy a 15-14 lead.
As the half progressed, Mercy faced challenges from Holy Family's three-point shooting. Despite this, Mercy's Rowbatham made a 3-pointer at 5:49, reducing the deficit. The half ended with Mercy trailing, as Holy Family closed with a three-pointer, leaving the score at 49-34 in favor of Holy Family.
Mercy initiated the second half with energy, as Trahan's layup and free throw at 18:29 cut into Holy Family's lead, making it 51-38. Mercy continued to fight back with Trahan's fast-break layup, narrowing the gap to 51-40. By the midpoint, Holy Family managed to extend their lead, but Mercy responded with a series of successful free throws.
In the middle of the half, Mercy found momentum through a combination of defensive rebounds and effective scoring, including a 3-pointer by Rowbatham at 8:51, reducing the deficit to 75-62. Mercy's persistent scoring efforts, including timely free throws and layups, maintained pressure on Holy Family.
A Rowbatham layup at 8:00 got the Mavericks to within nine, 75-66, before Holy Family went on an 11-4 run to increase the lead back to 16, 86-70, with 4:16 left. Mercy continued to battle and followed with a 14-4 run to cut the Tigers' lead to six, 90-84, with 1:24 remaining after two Trahan free throws. Holy Family scored the next five points to build the lead back to 11, 95-84, with 40 seconds left and held on for the 96-85 win.
Mercy was led by Trahan who had a game-high 29 points with a game-high seven rebounds. Rowbatham added 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting with four rebounds and senior TJ Holloway (Stratford, Conn./Central Connecticut State University) recorded 10 points and five rebounds. Junior Christopher Nana (Stamford, Conn./Sacred Heart University) had seven points in his Mercy debut and junior Ashton Pratt (Alexandria, Va./Chesapeake College) added six points in his Mercy debut. Freshman Tyrell Miller (Los Angeles, Calif./Frederick K.C. Price III Christian School) contributed four points and five rebounds in his collegiate debut.
Najee Coursey led Holy Family with 25 points, converting 11 of 15 field goals and adding two 3-pointers. Elijah Hernandez contributed with 11 points, hitting three shots from beyond the arc and blocking two shots. Omarion Jett played a pivotal role by scoring 13 points, making four 3-pointers, and dishing out six assists. Matt Gardler was effective at the line, going 6-for-6 on free throws, alongside three steals and six assists.
Mercy shot 40.3 percent (25-of-62) from the floor, 11.8 percent (2-of-17) from downtown and 71.7 percent (33-of-46) from the foul line. Holy Family shot 50.0 percent (34-of-68) from the field, 37.8 percent (14-of-37) from beyond the arc and 63.6 percent (14-of-22) from the charity stripe. Mercy held a 45-40 edge on the glass.
In their next game, Mercy will face off against Jefferson on Saturday, Nov. 15. The matchup is set to tip off at 4 p.m. at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
