Merrimack's second-half defense the difference in quarterfinal win over Long Island

NORTH ANDOVER — It wasn't always pretty, and it was anything but a sure thing, but Merrimack survived No. 7 Long Island in the NEC Quarterfinals on Wednesday night at Lawler Arena, shutting down the Sharks late for a 72-66 win.

The Warriors trailed by as many as nine points in the first half before going on a run and taking a 43-39 lead at halftime.

"[LIU] is a very talented team with two good guards," said Merrimack coach Joe Gallo. "We took the lead at the half, and then we won the game with our defense the next 18 minutes. It got a little sloppy late, but we're happy to come away with the win."

"We kept our composure," Budd Clark added. "Basketball is a game of runs, so we kept our composure and kept fighting."

The Warriors had a scare late in the second half when NEC Player of the Year Jordan Derkack limped off the floor and needed help to the bench during a timeout. But Derkack was back on the floor moments later, even with a noticeable limp.

"I've dealt with this type of injury before," Derkack said. "It's nothing new to me. We'll evaluate it tonight, I'll get an ice bath, and I'll do everything I need to be ready to go."

Derkack led the Warriors on Wednesday with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Budd Clark had 18 points, and Samba Diallo had 10 points.

Bryan Etumnu finished with four blocks defensively.

"We got off to a slow start because, defensively they are pretty unique," Gallo said. "Most teams don't take twos much anymore, but they make a lot of tough twos. As much as you say it, the guards are getting into the paint and they're making some fadeaways and it's tough to adjust. (Etumnu) was a little too reserved early with his hands down, and then he started attacking the ball more and you saw what happened. They were at 55 percent from two in the first half and finished the game 40 percent, so they were probably well under 35 percent in the second half."

The Warriors will now play Le Moyne in the NEC Semifinals on Saturday. The game will start at noon inside Lawler Arena. Merrimack men's hockey will host Boston College on Saturday night at Lawler Arena.

Merrimack is 2-0 against Le Moyne this season.

The winner of the Merrimack-Le Moyne game will face the winner of Central Connecticut-Wagner in the NEC Championship game next Tuesday. If the Warriors advance to and face CCSU, the game will be at CCSU. If the Warriors advance to face Wagner, the game will be at Lawler Arena.

"They're a skilled shooting team," Gallo said. "We need to take away the three. They have some older guys, and I think they have six grad students, so they aren't going to be coming in here scared. For us, it's just preparing these next couple of days."