SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite sophomore Kohen Rowbatham (Slidell, La./University of New Orleans), junior Jordan Trahan (New Orleans, La./Odessa College) and senior TJ Holloway (Stratford, Conn./Central Connecticut State University) scoring in double figures, the Mercy University Men's Basketball Team dropped an 87-61 decision at Division I Bryant University in an Exhibition on Wednesday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center.
The game does not count towards Mercy's record. Bryant (2-5) snaps a three-game losing streak.
The game opened with Bryant taking an early lead as Timofei Rudovskii hit two free throws at the 19:17 mark. Lennart Weber's layup at 16:16 extended Bryant's lead to 8-3. Bryant capitalized on defensive rebounds and fast breaks, with Ty Tabales contributing a 3-pointer at 5:32 to extend the gap. The half concluded with Bryant leading 42-17, bolstered by strong bench contributions and points in the paint.
Bryant maintained control throughout the half, opening with a quick layup by Rudovskii at 19:34, assisted by Quincy Allen. Allen contributed further with back-to-back 3-pointers, expanding Bryant's lead to 50-19 by the 17:45 mark. The Bulldogs later took a game-high-35-point lead, 56-21, with 14:32 left in the game and held a 72-38 lead with 7:36 remaining. Mercy continued to battle and went on a 19-5 run, capped off by a Trahan layup, to cu the Bryant lead to 20, 77-57, with 2:39 left. The Bulldogs responded with eight straight points to take an 85-57 lead with 1:34 on the clock and held on for the 87-61 win.
Rowbatham led the team with a game-high 22 points, converting 8-of-21 field goals and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Trahan contributed 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting, adding five rebounds and three steals. Holloway scored 15 points, making all six of his free throws and securing six rebounds. Junior Ashton Pratt (Alexandria, Va./Chesapeake College) had three points and freshman Tyrell Miller (Los Angeles, Calif./Frederick K.C. Price III Christian School) and sophomore James Connolly (Canton, Ga./The Winchendon School) added two points apiece.
Allen led Bryant with a perfect shooting performance, making all five of his field goal attempts, including two from beyond the arc, contributing 13 points while adding four assists and four rebounds. Tabales was also a significant contributor, scoring 10 points with efficient shooting, making 4-of-7 field goals and hitting two 3-pointers.
Mercy shot 32.3 percent (21-of-65) from the floor, 13.6 percent (3-of-22) from downtown and 80.0 percent (16-of-20) from the foul line. Bryant shot 50.0 percent (30-of-60) from the field, 29.6 percent (8-of-27) from beyond the arc and 57.6 percent (19-of-33) from the charity stripe. Bryant held a 49-34 edge on the glass.
Head Coach Charles Marquardt and the Mavericks resume action on Sunday, November 30th when they play at East Stroudsburg at 4 p.m.
