Southern Conn. St. SCSU 5-5,2-3 NE10

Mercy Mercy 3-9,2-1 ECC

Southern Conn. St. SCSU

5-5,2-3 NE10

Final

Dec. 21, 2024

Mercy Mercy

3-9,2-1 ECC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Southern Conn. St. SCSU	41	55	96
Mercy Mercy	31	43	74

Summary
Box Score

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 12/21/2024 6:13:00 PM

SCSU Men's Basketball Scores Season-High 96 Points to Defeat Mercy, 96-74.

COLCHESTER, V.T. - Southern Connecticut Men's Basketball defeated Mercy University, 96-74 in the second day of the Best Western Windjammer Doc Jacobs Classic, hosted by Saint Michael's. The Owls improve to 5-5 on the season.

Cherif Diarra had his career high in points, scoring 26 to go along with 10 rebounds, four assists, two blockas and a steal. Albert Vargas scored 20 and threw seven assists, and Isaac Hester scored 13, going 3-6 from deep and grabbing six boards. Jack Margoupis has a season-high 13 points, knocking down three three-pointers and bringing down six rebounds off the bench. Sean James put up nine points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal, and Makai Coleman hit his first, second, and third-career three pointers for nine points.

After the opening tip, the Owls were able to gain a small lead that would eventually hold for the entire first half. The two teams traded baskets, with the Southern's lead remaining in the single digits. The Owls struggled initially from deep, going 1-9 to start, but eventually, they found their stroke, with Jack Margoupis, Christian McClease, Albert Vargas, and Makai Coleman all hitting from deep. The three-point make from Coleman was the first of his career. These threes all came during a 25 to 10 run that featured plenty of scoring from Vargas and Cherif Diarra, including an impressive and-1 from the reigning NE10 Defensive Player of the Year. Diarra and Vargas combined for 25 of the Owls' 41 first half points, and Southern went into the break with a 41-31 lead. In the half, Diarra scored 13 points, grabbed six boards, and recorded three assists, along with a steal and a block.

The Owls opened up the second half right where they left off with a Diarra slam. Isaac Hester converted on a four-point play to extend the lead to 13. Southern's offense continued to dominate, with Diarra scoring another and-1 and McClease hitting a deep three in a 16-6 run to kick off the half. After some more back-and-forth play, Jack Margoupis came into the game and caught fire, scoring eight straight including back-to-back threes. The Owls continued to grow their lead, going up by as many as 24. Diarra hit his second career three pointer, and on a fast break a few plays later denied a Maverick layup with a spectacular chase down block. Southern's defense excelled as well, holding Mercy to 23.3% from three. Ultimately, the Owls would hold their large lead and win, 96-74.

The Owls return in the new year to take on Pace on Thursday, January 2nd at home.

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