DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Despite a combined 58 points from senior TJ Holloway (Stratford, Conn./Central Connecticut State University) and sophomore Kohen Rowbatham (Slidell, La./University of New Orleans), the Mercy University Men's Basketball Team dropped a hard-fought 79-76 decision to Southern Connecticut State University on Friday afternoon at the Judge Athletic Center.
The Mavericks (2-11) have dropped three games in a row and fall to the Owls (5-4) for the fourth straight season.
The first half saw Southern Connecticut State establish an early lead against Mercy. Justice Ellison opened the scoring with a layup just 14 seconds into the game, and quickly followed with a 3-pointer to give the visitors a 5-2 advantage. Malik Banks extended the lead with another 3-pointer at the 18:20 mark. Despite a strong effort from sophomore Joshua Naklen (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bedford Academy), who notched a 3-pointer and two free throws in the closing seconds, the Owls maintained their momentum, with Kazell Stewart's layup concluding the half at 47-35.
Mercy closed the gap in the second half, but Southern Connecticut State held on for a 79-76 victory. The Mavericks began the second half on a 15-6 run, capped off by a junior Ashton Pratt (Alexandria, Va./Chesapeake College) three-pointer, to cut the Owls' lead to three, 53-50, with 12:45 left. Southern Connecticut State responded with a 15-5 run to increase the lead back to 13, 68-55, with 7:57 remaining. The Owls later held a 75-63 lead after an Ellison layup with 4:59 left to play. The Mavericks continued to battle and went on an 11-3 run, finished off by a Holloway three, to make it 78-74 with 10 seconds left. Malik Banks went 1-of-2 from the foul line to give the Owls a 79-74 lead with seven seconds on the clock. Holloway then went 2-of-2 from the line to get Mercy back to within three, 79-76, with three seconds left. Cherif Diarra missed both foul shots for the Owls with just under two seconds left and time ran out on the ensuing rebound, giving Southern Connecticut State a 79-76 win.
Holloway led the Mavericks with a game-high 31 points, converting 10 field goals, including four from beyond the arc. Rowbatham contributed 27 points and added five rebounds. Naklen had a career-high-tying nine points and recorded six rebounds, three assists while posting two steals. Sophomore James Connolly (Canton, Ga./The Winchendon School) added a career-high six points and Pratt recorded three points.
Ellison led the Owls with 22 points, making 10-of-16 shots, and added 10 rebounds and three steals. Diarra contributed significantly with 16 points, shooting 5-for-8 from the field, while securing 18 rebounds and blocking three shots.
Mercy shot 40.3 percent (29-of-72) from the floor, 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from downtown and 90.9 percent (10-of-11) from the foul line. Southern Connecticut State shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58) from the field, 35.3 percent (6-of-17) from beyond the arc and 59.4 percent (19-of-32) from the charity stripe. Southern Connecticut State held a 50-32 edge on the glass.
Head Coach Charles Marquardt and the Mavericks resume action on Sunday, January 11th when they play at Roberts Wesleyan at 4 p.m.
