Tye Dorset hit a late go-ahead 3-pointer and scored 23 points to help top-seeded Merrimack hold on for a 58–57 victory over Marist on Sunday night in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal.
Merrimack, now 23-10, will play No. 3 seed Siena for the title on Tuesday at 9 p.m. shown live on ESPN.
Merrimack has won 11 of its last 12 games and beat Siena in two close games, 63-59 and 79-72 (in OT).
“Credit to Marist and what that group did down the stretch,” Merrimack coach Joe Gallo said. “That was the two best defensive teams in the league, and the game was played that way. We were just fortunate to make one more big shot than they were.”
Dorset delivered the decisive points when he connected from beyond the arc with 1:25 remaining. He finished with six rebounds and four steals to go along with his 23 points for the Warriors. Kevair Kennedy added 16 points and three steals, while Ernest Shelton chipped in 13.
“I didn’t really overthink it,” Dorset said. “I just found myself open and felt like I could knock the shot down and help my team win.”
Rhyjon Blackwell led the fifth-seeded Red Foxes (19-12) with 15 points and six rebounds. Jadin Collins added 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Jaden Daughtry finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
Merrimack carried a 30–28 lead into halftime behind 11 first-half points from Dorset. The Warriors used an 8–0 run early in the second half to erase a one-point deficit and take a 38–31 lead with 17:54 remaining before ultimately closing out the victory. Dorset poured in 12 of his points after the break.
“He was great,” Gallo said. “In games like this, you need someone else to step up. A lot of times over the years, when we beat FDU, and we couldn’t go to the tournament, Jordan Minor was Player of the Year in the league and Ziggy Reid was the tournament MVP. It can go like that. Even that last play, we were going Tye. We knew he’d get something good up at the rim. We were fortunate how it played out.”