DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Despite three Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy University Men's Basketball Team dropped a 95-80 decision to ECC foe St. Thomas Aquinas College on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon at the Judge Athletic Center.
In a ceremony prior to today's game, seniors TJ Holloway (Stratford, Conn./Central Connecticut State University) and Thomas Mandell (Southern Pines, N.C./Penn State-Berks) were honored for their contributions to the team.
The Mavericks (3-23, 2-14 ECC) see their season end with a loss and fall to the Spartans (17-11, 13-3 ECC) for the 27th straight time.
The first half opened with an early lead by St. Thomas Aquinas, as Derrick James hit a 3-pointer at 19:29 to set the tone. Mercy quickly responded, with sophomore James Connolly (Canton, Ga./The Winchendon School) completing a three-point play at 18:07 to tie the score at 3-3. Junior Ashton Pratt (Alexandria, Va./Chesapeake College) was pivotal for the Mavericks, scoring 18 points, including a layup at 15:20 that put the Mavericks ahead by four, 12-8. However, the Spartans capitalized on turnovers, with Michael Parrotta's layup at 9:55 giving them a seven-point edge. STAC held a 40-27 lead with 2:53 left in the half before the Mavericks ended the half on an 8-0 run to head into halftime down five, 40-35. Sophomore Kohen Rowbatham (Slidell, La./University of New Orleans) scored six points and Holloway ended the half with a jumper to keep Mercy within striking distance.
St. Thomas Aquinas opened the second half with a strong offensive surge, extending its lead to 49-37 following consecutive layups by Joshua Michigan. Mercy attempted to stay within reach, with Rowbatham contributing a layup and Holloway adding a jumper to cut the deficit. Despite these efforts, the Spartans maintained control, highlighted by a three-pointer from Anthony Daley at the 11:00 mark, pushing the score to 70-56. In the final minutes, Jamal Hicks, Jr. secured the win for St. Thomas Aquinas with two free throws to close the game at 95-80.
Holloway scored 20 points, converting 7 of 13 field goal attempts, and added five assists. Rowbatham led the scoring with a game-high 22 points and contributed five assists. Pratt added a season-high 18 points, making all six of his free-throw attempts. Junior Jordan Trahan (New Orleans, La./Odessa College) collected a game-high 10 rebounds to go with nine points and recorded two steals. Connolly added seven points and four rebounds and junior Christopher Nana (Stamford, Conn./Sacred Heart University) contributed four points.
James led the Spartans with 16 points, shooting 7-for-10 from the field, and contributed significantly with four steals and seven assists. Daley added 15 points, making five of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc.
Mercy shot 49.2 percent (31-of-63) from the floor, 26.7 percent (4-of-15) from downtown and 93.3 percent (14-of-15) from the foul line. STAC shot 48.1 percent (37-of-77) from the field, 33.3 percent (11-of-33) from beyond the arc and 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from the charity stripe. Mercy held a 38-37 edge on the glass and dished out a season-high 19 assists.
