Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.-
K.J. Rose (Binghamton, N.Y.) proved to be a thorn in the paws of the Lions Monday evening as the junior nailed a game-winning three-ball at the buzzer to push host-Mercy College past visiting Georgian Court University, 73-72, to earn the non-conference victory in thrilling fashion.
With the win, Mercy moves its mark to 4-4 overall while GCU, losers of six straight, falls to 2-11.
The Mavericks jumped out to an initial 23-15 lead with 12:11 remaining in the first half. Georgian Court would proceed to turn the tables on the home team as a
Michael Pierre three-pointer with 5:36 left concluded an astounding 18-2 run, giving the Lions a 33-25 surplus.
Mercy would slash the deficit to one possession as the Mavericks closed out the stanza with a 12-7 spurt to make the score 40-37 GCU.
Seemingly riding the home court momentum, Mercy constructed a seven-point advantage of 52-45 at the 12:51 mark of the second half. A pair of
Nikola Vujovic free throws at 6:50 leap-frogged the Lions to a slim 61-60 lead, ending a mighty sprint of 16-8.
Juwuan Carter's free throw would increase the GCU advantage to five (67-62) with 3:50 on the clock, but the Mavericks would not holster their sidearms as Mercy would eventually knot the tally at 70-all with just 28 ticks remaining.
Pierre appeared to have saved the Lions' day with a go-ahead jumper with 0:03 left. Unfortunately, it only set the stage for Rose's heroics.
Raphael Jennings (Jr.-Washington, D.C.) topped the Mercy offense with his team-leading 16 points, which included a game-best four three-pointers.
Laz Martinez (Sr.-Harlem, N.Y.) followed with 14 points, including 10-of-12 from the charity stripe.
Shaquille Stokes (Sr.-Harlem, N.Y.) poured in 13 in 17 minutes off the Mavericks' bench while Rose's game-winner gave him 10 points in a 40-minute effort.
GCU's Pierre led all scorers with his 17 points, including three three-pointers. Carter deposited 16 for the Lions while Vujovic earned his second double-double of the year with 13 points and a contest-best 10 boards.
The Lions now return to CACC competition Wednesday evening with a visit to Nyack College.
