TMR Game Report: Merrimack beats Sacred Heart 71-60, will play for NEC title

Photo: Merrimack Athletics

NORTH ANDOVER — Jordan Minor had 18 points in Merrimack’s 71-60 victory over Sacred Heart on Saturday night in the semifinal round of the Northeast Conference tournament.

The top-seeded Warriors advance to play for the conference championship on Tuesday at Lawler Arena.

“We started scoring off our defense and settled in and made it a typical Merrimack basketball game,” said Merrimack coach Joe Gallo. "

After the game, Sacred Heart coach Anthony Latina pointed out that the Warriors scored 24 points off of Sacred Heart’s 14 turnovers.

“They are so hard to play against,” he said. “You have to give Merrimack a lot of credit.”

Minor added 12 rebounds, four steals, and six blocks for the Warriors (15-16). Javon Bennett added 17 points while shooting 7 for 15, including 3 for 7 from beyond the arc, and they also had five assists and six steals. Ziggy Reid shot 5 of 10 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line to finish with 15 points. The Warriors picked up their 10th straight victory.

Tanner Thomas led the Pioneers (15-16) in scoring, finishing with 15 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. Nico Galette added 13 points and seven rebounds for Sacred Heart. Bryce Johnson also had 12 points, 14 rebounds and two steals.

Merrimack took the lead with 12:40 left in the first half and did not give it up. Devon Savage led their team in scoring with eight points in the first half to help put them ahead 33-28 at the break. Merrimack used an 11-0 run in the second half to build a 16-point lead at 57-41 with 8:50 left in the half before finishing off the win.

Inside this post is everything you need to know about Merrimack’s win, including TMR insight and analysis