February 2011

By Steve Thompson

Finally.

A win.

How long had it been?

Too long.

The Mercy College men’s basketball team recorded its first win of the season by defeating East Coast Conference opponent Dowling College in a convincing manner on Feb. 2, 93-83.

The Mavericks were able to remove the donut from the win column with a scorching 51 point second half offensive output. In fact, the 93 point explosion is the team’s highest total of the season and only the second time the Mavericks have been able to top the 90 point mark this season.

More importantly, it was Mercy’s first win since Jan. 11, 2010 against NYIT. Mercy had dropped 32 straight games in a row inbetween victories.

Junior wingman P.J. Bailey stated that the win was as big as any in the program’s recent history.

“This win was very big for our moral,” said Bailey. ” It brought the team together and also proves that we are here for a reason, and not just playing.”

A win like this in our league is a huge confidence boost to our program,” said head coach Adam Parmenter in a press release. “Some young players made key plays, and our veterans provided the consistency we need.”

The contest remained relatively close with Mercy entering the half clinging to a slight 42-40 margin. Mercy was able to increase the pace in the second half led by clutch shooting from senior Bronx product Manny Garcia. Garcia played 36 minutes finishing with an impressive 21 points and 10 rebounds. Garcia’s game was complimented by senior Hasan Powell, who led the Mavericks with 22 points, shooting a stellar 9-for-16 from the field. Powell also tacked on five assists, ending the contest with an all important 5-1 assist to turnover ratio.

The win may come as a surprise to some but represents an “I will not quit” attitude that some of the Mavericks seem to have embodied. In Mercy’s previous contest, the Mavericks trailed by 14 to Molloy College with less than six minutes remaining. Mercy managed to trim the lead to three before losing a hard fought effort. This effort would carry over to a win the very next game.

Yet the Mavericks would catch up with Molloy on Feb. 19, winning 82-76. Powell dished 13 assists and guard Ed Wilson led all scorers with 20 points. Bailey pulled down nine rebounds and Manny Garcia scored 16 points after shooting fifty percent from the three-point line. Tied at 60, Colin Senior hit a three pointer that gave the Mavericks a lead that they never gave up.

The Mercy College men’s basketball team has five active seniors on the roster. Mercy dropped its final two games, giving it a 2-24 record on the season.

“Hopefully these wins will lead to a playoff contending team next year,” said Bailey.