Kevair Kennedy scored 20 points to lift Merrimack past Iona, 88-86, in double overtime Sunday, extending the Warriors’ winning streak to eight games.
The victory immediately gave Merrimack the MAAC regular-season title and completed a flawless home season, with the Warriors finishing 11-0 at home.
Kennedy’s influence was felt throughout the box score. He added seven assists, six rebounds and five steals for the Warriors (20-9, 16-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) and then set up the decisive series by calmly converting two free throws for an 82-80 lead with two minutes left in the second overtime.
The 20-point outing marked Kennedy’s fourth straight game in which he reached that mark and the sixth time he has done so in his last seven appearances.
Ernest Shelton scored 18 points and six rebounds for Merrimack, while Tye Dorset added 15 in a balanced attacking effort.
CJ Anthony led Iona (16-13, 8-10) with 25 points and five assists. His step back 3-pointer with two seconds left in regulation time tied the game at 68 and forced overtime.
Merrimack needed one more escape to survive the first extra session, such as Andres Marrero was fouled on a three-point attempt and buried all three free throws with 28 seconds left to send the game to a second overtime, tied at 77.
Merrimack wraps up the regular season next weekend with a road trip to Canisius and Niagara before turning his attention to the MAAC Tournament in Atlantic City.
#Warriors #beat #Iona #double #overtime #place #MAAC #finish #perfect #home