The Berkeley College men's basketball team improved its record to 14-0 on the 2016-2017 campaign this weekend, turning back the University of Maine Augusta and NHTI on back-to-back days in the NHTI Holiday Inn New Year's Classic. On Saturday evening, the Knights defeated the Moose by a score of 131-67. Earlier today, Berkeley topped the Lynx by a final of 81-70. With the victories, the Knights pushed their program winning streak to 38 games overall.
In Berkeley College's triumph over the University of Maine at Augusta, six Knights scored in double figures, including Massiah Merritt and Johnnie Green, as they both finalized their evenings with 19 points. Merritt also posted team-highs of eight rebounds and six assists, while tallying two steals. Green snatched six rebounds and blocked a game-high three shots.
Stephon Jennings connected on seven of his nine opportunities from the floor to finish with 15 points. He also added seven rebounds and five assists. Dondre Simmons added 14 points, and Ricardo Ayuso and Shamoree Strawn finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The Knights dominated the Moose in every facet of the game. Berkeley College connected on 61.2 percent of its attempts from the floor (52-85) compared to a 40.6 percent conversion rate for the University of Maine at Augusta (26-64). Berkeley out-rebounded the Moose 56-24, while also forcing 22 opponent miscues while only committing 16 mistakes. The Knights scored 44 points off of Moose turnovers. Berkeley also scored 70 points in the pain compared to just 30 for the University of Maine at Augusta.
Despite the loss for the Moose, it was Jordan Holmes scoring a game-high 28 points. Additionally, Dustin Simpson-Bragg netted 17 points while snatching three rebounds, and Noah Thompson dropped in 12 points.
In the Knights' 11-point win over host school NHTI on Sunday, all five Knights starters scored in double figures, and it was Merritt pacing Berkeley with a team-high 15 points. He also recorded game-highs of seven assists and four steals. Simmons finalized his versatile day with 13 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals, and Jeffrey Mejia added 12 points and three assists. Green and Jennings also scored 11 points apiece.
Despite the defeat for the Lynx, Joe Simpson dropped in a game-high 18 points while collecting four assists. Michael DeJesus added 14 points, and Javan Parkinson netted 10 points and snatched six rebounds.
Berkeley College's Massiah Merritt eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career in the process of having two stellar performances this past weekend. He has been one of the most dynamic players the program has ever seen, and he continues to prove that each and every time he steps on the court. He was named to the All-Tournament team along with Johnnie Green.
The Knights will now have five days off before returning to action on Saturday, January 14, as Berkeley will travel to Fort Kent to battle UMFK in a rematch of the season opener. Start-time for that contest is scheduled for 1:00pm.
