Bobcats Extend Win Streak To Five In Blow Out Win

ERIE, PA -- Nicc Johnson scored 24 points and grabbed 5 rebounds as the Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo Bobcats built an early lead and never looked back, beating the Mercyhurst NE Saints in Erie, PA on Wednesday night, 90-48.

Coming into Wednesday's contest, the Bobcats were on a four-game win streak after a successful road trip through eastern New York State. Nicc Johnson, Tyrell Mitchell, and Damone Brown Jr. had completed the short run with impressive guard play, and Jordan Street had owned the paint. The Bobcats hoped to make it five games straight against the Saints of Mercyhurst NE College who boasted a solid record at Liguori Fieldhouse, entering the game 7-1 at home and 9-3 overall.

From the tip off, it was clear that Mercyhurst NE's tall frontline wanted a slow halfcourt game. Mario Antenor and Ian McNeill battled inside and got some easy buckets. Tahjmere Jones ran the point guard position and orchestrated the offense.

For much of the first half, the Saints seemed to stick to their game plan. They wanted to pound the ball inside or set a high ball screen out front to get guard penetration and kick out for the three pointer. And, consequently, Ian McNeill ended up with 10 first-half points, while Jones pitched in 4 points and 3 steals. 

Unfortunately, for Mercyhurst NE, Nicc Johnson was feeling good on Wednesday. In just 16 minutes, Johnson scored 13 points to lead all scorers at halftime. Tyrell Mitchell followed him with 12 points. But, beyond the consistent play of Johnson and Mitchell, what really changed the momentum of the game was an overall team effort on defense. The Bobcats held Mercyhurst to 32.4% from the field and 30.8% from the three point line. 

Some of that credit has to go to guards, Mike Davis and Kevin Ford, who applied pressure to the Saint's point guard, Tahjmere Jones. Davis and Ford's hardwork and defensive tenacity rubbed off on their teammates. With two minutes left in the first half, pressure out front caused Tahjmere Jones to travel. The game was close with the Bobcats clinging to a 30-28 lead.

Tyrell Mitchell would bank in a floater in the lane. Bryant Fulton then knocked down a couple of free throws. Mitchell stepped into the passing lane for a steal that led to another lay up. The momentum shifted and the Bobcats went into the locker room at halftime with a 36-29 lead. 

From that point on, the Bryant & Stratton College - Buffalo Bobcats would never look back. Once the second half began, Nicc Johnson picked up where he left off, knocking down a couple of three pointers and then finishing on the break. Tyrell Mitchell got loose in the open court, dunking with such authority that it quieted a rowdy Liguori Fieldhouse crowd.

All of a sudden, Mercyhurst was down 12 points on their home floor. They called a timeout. 

But the pause in the action was only temporary. The Bobcats continued their tear. Mike Davis knocked down a three pointer after his defender went under the screen. Damone Brown Jr. also knocked down a three pointer. Mercyhurst called another timeout, but the game was beginning to slip out of reach. 

Ian McNeill finished with 15 points, Mario Antenor contributed 7 points, and Tahjmere Jones added 2 more points to his total to finish with 6 points on the night for the Saints of Mercyhurst NE. For the Bobcats, aside from Johnson's 24 points, Mitchell scored 14 points and Brown Jr. put 10 points on the stat sheet. Other notable highlights were newcomers Jeriah Williams with 8 points and Daquan Walker with 12 points. 

NEXT GAME 

Friday, January 18th, the Bobcats try to extend their win streak to six, taking on College of St. Joseph at Burt Flickinger Athletic Center in Buffalo, NY. Tip off is at 7pm!

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