SPARKILL, N.Y. – Despite a game-high 21 points from senior TJ Holloway (Stratford, Conn./Central Connecticut State University), the Mercy University Men's Basketball Team dropped an 84-65 decision at ECC foe St. Thomas Aquinas College on Saturday afternoon at Aquinas Hall.

The Mavericks (2-17, 2-8 ECC) have dropped nine games in a row and fall to the Spartans (12-10, 8-2 ECC) for the 26th straight time.

Mercy and St. Thomas Aquinas engaged in a back-and-forth first half, with the Spartans securing a narrow 30-27 lead by the end. The half opened with Derrick James hitting a 3-pointer at 19:44 for St. Thomas Aquinas, quickly countered by a jumper from freshman Tyrell Miller (Los Angeles, Calif./Frederick K.C. Price III Christian School). Holloway contributed a key 3-pointer at 14:43 to help his team build a lead as large as eight points at the 12:50 mark. However, St. Thomas Aquinas finished strong, with Anthony Daley's 3-pointer at 00:04 giving them the edge heading into the next half.

St. Thomas Aquinas secured a commanding victory over Mercy with a final score of 84-65. The Spartans surged ahead in the second half, highlighted by James' 3-pointer at 12:27, extending their lead to 52-42. Joshua Michigan contributed significantly, scoring multiple times in the paint, including a layup at 9:11. Holloway attempted to rally his team with a series of successful shots, including a 3-pointer at 5:44, but St. Thomas Aquinas maintained control, finishing with a layup from Jamal Hicks, Jr. with 28 seconds remaining. Sophomore Kohen Rowbatham (Slidell, La./University of New Orleans) added a late jumper for the Mavericks to bring the final score to 84-65.

Holloway scored a game-high 21 points, including three 3-pointers, on 7-of-12 shooting. Junior Jordan Trahan (New Orleans, La./Odessa College) contributed 14 points and made six steals. Rowbatham added 16 points and dished out three assists. Miller recorded three blocks and collected seven rebounds, providing a strong presence in the paint.

Starrell Hearns led St. Thomas Aquinas with 14 points, converting 5 of 15 field goal attempts and securing two steals. Daley was a standout with 18 points, hitting 6 of 11 shots from beyond the arc and adding two steals.

Mercy shot 42.9 percent (24-of-56) from the floor, 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from downtown and 47.8 percent (11-of-23) from the foul line. STAC shot 35.4 percent (28-of-79) from the field, 40.7 percent (11-of-27) from beyond the arc and 81.0 percent (17-of-21) from the charity stripe. STAC held a 61-32 edge on the glass and held a 30-5 edge in second chance points. Mercy recorded a season-high seven blocks and 14 steals.

Head Coach Charles Marquardt and the Mavericks resume action on Sunday, February 8th when they host Roberts Wesleyan at 2 p.m.