Sports

Boys Basketball: Mercy comeback comes up short

ROBERT O'ROURK PHOTO | McGann-Mercy junior Nykel Reese scored a team-high 16 points Friday night.
ROBERT O’ROURK PHOTO | McGann-Mercy junior Nykel Reese scored a team-high 16 points Friday night.

TUCKERS 60, MONARCHS 51

Mattituck held off a second half rally in front of a boisterous crowd at McGann-Mercy High School Friday night to pick up its second win of the season, 60-51.

The Tuckers led by as many as 15 in the first half before the Monarchs began to stage a comeback in the third quarter — just as they did the first time the teams met in Mattituck. Only this time, the Monarchs could never get over the hump, getting as close as within two in the fourth quarter.

Mercy junior Kurt Bahnke hit a free throw with 5:50 left to bring the Monarchs with two at 44-42. But a crucial technical foul call against Mercy on the ensuing possession after Mattituck sophomore Will Gildersleeve got fouled gave the Tuckers four free throws. Gildersleeve only hit two, but the Tuckers got a huge 3-pointer from freshman Joe Tardif (1o points) afterward to push the lead back to seven.

Gildersleeve led the Tuckers with 11 points.

Mercy got a game-high 16 from junior Nykel Reese.

Mercy’s only lead of the game was 6-5 in the opening minutes.

The Tuckers’ defensive game plan centered around slowing down Mercy guard Asaiah Wilson. With a man draped on him the entire game, the remaining Mattituck defenders sat back in a zone and were able to keep Reese from dominating down low.

Wilson was limited to five points.

Turnovers plagued the Monarchs all game. They finished with 23, which fueled the Tuckers’ transition game.

Mattituck improved to 2-10 overall and 2-6 in League VII. The loss dropped Mercy to 6-6 and 3-5 in league.

[email protected]