Men's Basketball Set to Host Merrimack on Friday Night

Game #22: Merrimack @ Manhattan 

Friday, February 14, 2025 | 7:00 PM

Draddy Gymnasium | Riverdale, NY

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RIVERDALE, N.Y. — A crazy season in Riverdale got crazier after Manhattan had to once again play over 40 minutes in Saturday's 84-83 home win over Saint Peter's. The Jaspers latest nailbiter was further proof that year two under head coach John Gallagher has gone according to plan. The uber competitive Jaspers have played in four overtime games this season, making them one of 14 teams in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball to have played at least four overtime shootouts this season. While Manhattan hasn't set the D1 record like Bucknell has with eight overtime games this season, the Jaspers have already played its most overtime contests since the 2016-17 campaign when it finished with four stalemates at the end of regulation. When Friday night comes around, Manhattan will need to prove that its second-highest scoring offense (76.0 PPG) in the MAAC will be enough to overcome Merrimack's stingy defense which yields a MAAC-best 63.8 points-per-game. 

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

• Merrimack boasts the dynamic Adam "Budd" Clark at the point guard position. The sophomore out of Philly averages 19.7 points, 5.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.

• Graduate student Matt Becht contributes 9.7 PPG which is second on the Warriors roster. Becht connects on 35.1 percent (59-168) of his treys. 

• The Warriors are a perfect 3-0 in February so far with wins at Rider, vs. Niagara and vs. Canisius. 

• Counting non-conference games, Merrimack sits with a 0.7 average points margin which is fourth best in the MAAC. 

• Merrimack is 6-1 on the road in MAAC play. 

• In addition to limiting opponents to the lowest scoring output on average, Merrimack also defends the three-point line exceptionally well. Opponents are shooting a league-worst 30.9 percent from three against the Warriors. 

• Ninth-year head coach Joe Gallo has utilized a 2-3 zone to achieve annual success on the defensive end.

• Merrimack, along with Sacred Heart, is in the middle of its first season in the MAAC.

• In Merrimack's D1 era, Gallo has led the Warriors to a .500 record or better in four out of five completed seasons, including having won three NEC Regular Season Championships and one NEC Tournament Championship.

• The January 12th meeting between both programs was the first time the Jaspers and Warriors ever linked up. Manhattan fell by a final score of 69-62.

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