NORTH ANDOVER – Maine made a late charge in the second half, but the Warriors absorbed the pressure and pulled away from the Black Bears down the stretch, earning a 72-65 win in Merrimack’s home opener on Wednesday night at Lawler Arena.
“It feels good to be back home,” coach Merrimack said Joe Gallo. “It was cool to be home. By the end of the game it was a great crowd with a lot of energy, and I think that really helped us.”
Kevair Kennedy led the way with 23 points and was one of four Warriors in double figures. Ernest Shelton chipped in 14, while Todd Brogna And Andres Marrero Added 11 each.
Kennedy was sharp, shooting 6-for-9 from the field and knocking down 11 of 14 at the line. He also provided five assists for the Warriors. Brogna anchored the glass with a team-high seven rebounds.
Defensively, the Warriors forced seventeen goals, including six steals, and turned those mistakes into seventeen points.
“That was a big key for us,” he said Joe Gallo. “Both teams can make you pay off the turnover. They couldn’t get our ball for the first 26 minutes.”
A big test is planned for Friday when Merrimack heads south to take on Florida, which is ranked eighth in the country according to KenPom. The Gators are 3-1, with their only loss coming against KenPom No. 5 Arizona on opening night. Florida enters the game fresh after an 82-68 win over Miami last Sunday.
Listen to Merrimack head coach Joe Gallo with Ian Beauchesne after last night’s game
Postgame: Joe Gallo after Merrimack’s 72-65 win over Maine
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