PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Sophomore guard
Bryan Rivers (West Windsor, NJ/Peddie School) turned in the best game of his career on Saturday to lead the Pace University men's basketball team to an 83-82 overtime win over Merrimack College in Northeast-10 Conference action at the Goldstein Fitness Center. The Setters improve to 7-9 overall and 4-4 in NE-10 play, while Merrimack drops to 8-7 on the year and 3-6 against the conference.
Rivers tallied a career-high 26 points and nine rebounds, and also dished out six assists to help the Setters pick up the win. Senior guard
Shelton Mickell (Queens, NY/Cardozo / Central Connecticut State) also had a big day with 21 points and six boards, but no two points were more important than his two good free throws with 7.5 on the clock in overtime, clinching the win for Pace.
The extra period featured seven lead changes, with the final one going Pace's way. Both teams were tied at 72 with 3:51 to play in overtime. Merrimack's Anthony Barry made a layup to give the Warriors the lead, but Rivers made a pair of free throws to once again tie the game. Ryan Boulter then hit a big three for Merrimack to give them a three-point advantage.
Mickell came right down the court, and chose to drive for a layup to get the Setters back within one. Boulter missed a jumper the next time down the court, and then Rivers drew a foul with a chance to take the lead. He made both of his chances to put Pace up, 78-77.
On the next possession, Merrimack's Gelvis Solano missed a pair of free throws, but Barry came up with the offensive rebound. Troy Hammel tried a three, but missed, giving it back to the Setters. Rivers missed his first chance, but came up with the rebound. He then made a jumper, putting Pace up by three.
JT Strickland came down the court and made a quick layup for the Warriors to get back within one with 1:04 to play. No points were scored until the 29-second mark, when Mickell went to the line. He made his first shot, but missed the second, leaving Pace up, 81-79. Solano drove hard to the hoop, sank a difficult layup, and drew the foul for a chance at the lead. Solano made the free throw with 21 seconds left to go up, 82-81.
The Setters did not rush to get a shot off, and Mickell waited until under 10 seconds to try and drive to the hoop. His shot did not go through, but he drew a foul for an opportunity to take the lead back. Mickell came up clutch with both free throws to take an 83-82 lead with under eight seconds to play. Solano tried a three to win the game with just a second left, but his shot did not go, giving the Setters a crucial NE-10 victory.
The second half ended much like overtime did, as Mickell was sent to the line with the Setters trailing by one with just 24 seconds remaining. He missed the first chance this time, but made the second to tie the game at 67. Solano missed a jumper with three seconds left, keeping the game tied and sending it to overtime.
In addition to the big games by Rivers and Mickell, freshman forward
Ryan Peterson (Wethersfield, CT/St. Thomas More) registered 14 points and seven boards, while senior forward
Kyle Pearson (Woodbridge, NJ/Woodbridge / Fairleigh Dickinson University) added 12 points and eight rebounds. After shooting just 32 percent (8-for-25) in the first half, the Setters went on to shoot 58.3 percent (21-of-36) in the second half and overtime to help them pick up the win.
Hammel led the way for the Warriors with 19 points and three assists. Strickland picked up a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists.
With a big conference win under its belt, Pace can now look to a week of long road trips to take on a pair of NE-10 opponents. The Setters will take on Saint Michael's College up in Colchester, Vt. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m. They will then close out the week at Stonehill College in North Easton, Mass., where the Setters and Skyhawks will tip off at 3:30 p.m.
For all information regarding Pace University men's basketball log on to
www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace men's basketball on Twitter (
@PaceMBB).
