Southern Conn. St. SCSU 5-4,1-0 NE10

Mercy Mercy 2-11,2-2 ECC

Southern Conn. St. SCSU

5-4,1-0 NE10

Final

Jan. 02, 2026

Mercy Mercy

2-11,2-2 ECC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Southern Conn. St. SCSU	47	32	79
Mercy Mercy	35	41	76

Summary
Box Score

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 1/2/2026 4:16:00 PM

SCSU Men's Basketball Defeats Mercy, 79-76

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - Southern Connecticut men's basketball defeated Mercy 79-76, picking up a wire-to-wire victory in their final non-conference matchup of the 2025-2026 season. The Owls improve to 5-4 on the season.

Justice Ellison had another phenomenal game, recording his third straight double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, also adding three steals. He has scored in double figures every game this season. Cherif Diarra recorded his second consecutive double-double with a season-high 16 points and season-high 18 rebounds. He also blocked three shots for the third time this season. Jahlil Bethea scored 11, and Kazell Steward added 10 points off the bench, matching Diarra with three blocks of his own.

The Owls jumped out to a hot start, leading 10-2 to start the game thanks to quick baskets from Justice Ellison, who scored seven points in the first five minutes of play. Jahlil Bethea, Malik Banks, and Cherif Diarra also contributed, helping the Owls to a quick double-digit lead. Southern hounded the Mavericks on defense, keeping Mercy in single digits for the first eight minutes of the game. The Owls would ultimately block nine shots as a team and force eight turnovers. Southern also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Mercy 50 to 32. The Mavericks offense finally started to find a grove, but the Owls maintained their advantage, with the lead eventually growing as large as 18 with four minutes to go in the half. However, Mercy would find some momentum in the waning minutes of the period, cutting the lead to 12 before heading into the locker room.

The Mavericks continued their momentum from the first half into the second, bring the Owls' lead down into single digits within the first two minutes. The lead would shrink all the way to three before Southern regained their footing, with Kazell Stewart providing valuable minutes off the bench. Ellison, Diarra and Stewart combined to regain a double-digit advantage that the Owls would maintain into the final four minutes of the game. Mercy threatened in the last few minutes, bringing the lead down to four and eventually three, but the Owls knocked down enough free throws to hold the Mavericks comeback attempt off and bring home the win, 79-76.

The Owls will kick off conference play this weekend, taking on Bentley on the road on Sunday, January 4th.

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