Brown rolls over Merrimack

Photo: Merrimack Athletics

NORTH ANDOVER — The Brown Bears had their way with Merrimack on Tuesday night, rolling to a 76-56 win over the Warriors at Hammel Court.

Brown’s Jaylan Gainey was unstoppable. Gainey finished with 17 points and he shot 100 percent from the field (8 for 8). Brown had four players score in double figures.

Brown jumped out to a 25-6 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Warriors managed just 19 points in the first half.

The loss was Merrimack’s third by 20 points or more this season.

Almost everything fell right for the Bears, who improved to 8-4 with the win. As a team, Brown finished the night shooting nearly 50 percent (49.1%) from the field.

Jordan Minor led the Warriors with 16 points. Minor, who has been Merrimack’s best player this season, also finished with six steals and four blocks. Minor has scored in double figures in five straight games and he has posted a double-double in three out of his last four games.

Malik Edmead was another bright spot for the Warriors. He finished with 16 points on 5 for 10 shooting in 19 minutes.

GAME NOTES: Minor had a career-high six steals in the loss on Tuesday night. … Berry III is now shooting 55% from long range, after going 5-9 so far this season. … In the last four games, Minor is shooting lights out from the line. He is 26-28, which is good enough for 92% from the charity stripe.

NEXT: Merrimack will travel to No. 5 Gonzaga on Thursday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m E.T. Gonzaga will be the highest-ranked team the Warriors have played to date as a D-I program.

Brown 76, Merrimack 56
at Hammel Court
Brown (8-4): 35-41—76
Merrimack (4-6): 19-37—56
Brown (76): *Jaylan Gainey 8-1-17; *Paxson Wojci 4-2-14; *Tamenang Choh 3-4-11; *Dan Friday 3-0-6; *David Mitchell 0-0-0; Kino Lily Jr. 5-1-15; Noah Meren 1-2-4; Kimo Ferrari 1-0-3; Nana Owusu-Anane 1-0-2; Malachi Ndur 1-0-2; Josh Watts 1-0-2; Aaron Cooley 0-0-0; Perry Cowan 0-0-0; Felix Kloman 0-0-0; Sam Klores 0-0-0-0; Lyndel Erold 0-0-0; Tyler Brown 0-0-0.
Merrimack (56): *Jordan Minor 5-6-16; *Ziggy Reid 2-4-9; *Devin Jensen 1-2-5; *Mikey Watkins 2-0-4; *Mykel Derring 1-0-3; Malik Edmead 5-5-16; James Berry III 1-0-3; Jordan McKoy 0-0-0; Justin Connolly 0-0-0; Ryan Isaacson 0-0-0; Ryan Miller 0-0-0
Turnovers: Brown 18, Merrimack 14
Rebounds: Brown 41, Merrimack 21
Attendance: 637