TROY, Ala. – The Merrimack College men’s basketball team sealed a win over Troy University in the final game of the Trojan Turkey Tipoff.
Merrimack defeated host Troy University, 72-68, in the consolation game of the Thanksgiving holiday tournament.
On Wednesday might, Merrimack lost to the University of Texas San Antonio, 76-74.
In the Friday tilt, the Warriors wanted to leave this mini tournament by snagging a win over the host, Troy and snap their losing streak.
Through the first four minutes, the Warriors offense was struggling to score. However, out of the media timeout, Merrimack would come out firing, knocking down numerous threes to pounce on the Trojans.
The Warriors would go up 13-8 and end up leading for the remainder of the first half going up by as much as 12 at 40-28. In the second half, Troy was able to pull closer and even take the lead.
It would be the Warriors dynamic duo of Adam “Budd” Clark and Devon Savage that carried the Warrior offense through foul trouble. Savage was unconscious from downtown knocking down shot after shot to respond to the Trojan attack.
Late in the game the ball would be in Clark’s hands up three points. The sophomore guard went on to knockdown a massive fadeaway mid-range jumper to go up five and force a Troy timeout.
Matt Becht would provide the finisher with two clutch free throws to seal the win for Merrimack in the final seconds.
Notes and Numbers
Devon Savage finished as the game high scorer with 23 points knocking down seven threes.
Budd Clark notched his second straight 20 point game adding in seven assists and three steals.
Matt Becht poured in 12 points as well to help close out the win
Up Next: The Warriors will once again be on the road but this time have their first conference game in the MAAC era when they square off with Canisius University on December 6th at 7 P.M.
B.U. beats back Merrimack comeback in Belfast
The Merrimack College men’s ice hockey team battled but fell to the Boston University Terriers by a score of 6-2 in the Friendship Four’s semifinal game on Friday.
Merrimack falls to 3-8-1 and faces Harvard, which lost to Notre Dame, in the consolation game on Saturday.
In the first period, B.U., now 7-5-1, would score an even strength, powerplay and shorthanded goal to take a three-goal lead through the opening 20 minutes.
In the second, Max Lundgren would take over goaltending duties and he registered 10 saves to keep the Terriers off the board. The Warriors found their breakthrough on the powerplay as Antonio Venuto slotted home the rebound to cut the deficit to two heading into the third period.
In the third, David Sacco quickly got Merrimack on the board cutting the lead to one (3-2). The Terriers re-established the two goal cushion on a deflection in front that would stand after a review. The Terriers put the game away with an empty net tally and a sixth goal in the final seconds.
· Antonio Venuto’s goal was his fourth of the season, David Sacco’s goal was his third of the season.
· Seamus Powell had an assist on both goals, Zach Bookman also had an assist.
· Max Lundgren made 19 saves in relief.
UP NEXT: The Warriors will play either the Notre Dame Fighting Irish or the Harvard Crimson in the consolation game to be played tomorrow at the SSE Arena.