DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Powered by four Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy University Men's Basketball Team earned a 91-86 win over ECC foe University of the District of Columbia on Saturday afternoon at the Judge Athletic Center.
The Mavericks (1-6, 1-1 ECC) earn their first win of the season, and the win is Head Coach Charles Marquardt's first win as head coach of Mercy. Mercy defeats the Firebirds (0-7, 0-2 ECC) for the third straight time.
The game began with Mercy taking an early lead, highlighted by a three-pointer from junior Ashton Pratt (Alexandria, Va./Chesapeake College) at 19:18. Mercy extended their advantage with an 11-0 run, featuring contributions from sophomore Kohen Rowbatham (Slidell, La./University of New Orleans), who scored both a layup and a three-pointer, bringing the score to 14-2. UDC struggled to keep pace, despite a layup from Karris Scott at 18:38. Mercy's defense forced nine turnovers, while their offense capitalized with a series of successful fast breaks. After the Firebirds made it 14-4, the Mavericks went on a 20-8 run to take their largest lead of the game, 34-12, after a freshman Jeffrey Mulhern (Duanesburg, N.Y./Duanesburg) three with 7:41 left in the half. Mercy maintained control, leading 42-32 at the end of the first half, capped by Rowbatham's tip-in at the 57-second mark.
Mercy maintained their lead through the second half, securing a 91-86 victory over the Firebirds. Pratt played a key role early on, hitting back-to-back three-pointers at the 18:01 mark, extending Mercy's advantage. The Mavericks increased the lead back to 20, 65-45, after a senior TJ Holloway (Stratford, Conn./Central Connecticut State University) jumper with 12:43 remaining. UDC rallied with a 22-9 run to cut Mercy's lead to seven, 74-67, with 6:23 left. The Firebirds later made it a six-point game, 8-74, with 3:42 on the clock before a layup from Rowbatham and a three-point play from junior Derek Long (Milford, Conn./Deerfield Academy) gave the Mavericks an 11-point lead, 85-74, with 2:54 remaining. Rejuan Gray kept the Firebirds competitive, contributing a series of layups and free throws, including a jumper with 2:47 remaining to bring the score to 85-76. Despite a late surge from UDC, Mercy's free-throw shooting, particularly by Holloway and Rowbatham, ensured the Mavericks held on for the win.
Rowbatham scored a career-high-tying 29 points and added eight rebounds while also tallying four assists. Holloway recorded 17 points, converting all eight of his free throw attempts and collecting five rebounds. Pratt contributed 14 points with four 3-pointers and three steals. Junior Jordan Trahan (New Orleans, La./Odessa College) posted 15 points and nine rebounds, finishing with two blocks. Long added six points in his season debut.
Gray led the Firebirds with an impressive 30 points, shooting 9-for-14 from the field and a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. Scott contributed defensively, recording two steals and adding six points.
Mercy shot 42.0 percent (29-of-69) from the floor, 50.0 percent (12-of-24) from downtown and 61.8 percent (21-of-34) from the foul line. UDC shot 48.4 percent (31-of-64) from the field, 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from beyond the arc and 70.0 percent (21-of-30) from the charity stripe. UDC held a 49-39 edge on the glass.
Head Coach Charles Marquardt and the Mavericks resume action on Tuesday, December 9th when they host Adelphi at 7 p.m.
