Men's Basketball

November 15, 2007

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.-Junior forward AJ Reitter (Baltimore, Md./Franklin) netted a career-high 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting from the field, as the Post University men's basketball team, stumbled in the 2007-08 season-opener, falling 87-77, to Merrimack College on the road at the Volpe Gym, Thursday evening.

Reitter's previous career-mark came on January 17, 2007 with 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting and four three-pointers against Bloomfield at the Drubner Center.

The Eagles (0-1) had four scorers in double figures led by Reitter, as senior Arthur Robertson (Far Rockaway, N.Y./Beach Channel) had 13 points, including 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. The senior swingman, is inching closer to the 1,000-point plateau, as he needs 31 points to join the 1,000-point club at Post.

Junior center Jesse Iyalekhue (Bronx, N.Y./Columbus) had 10 points and nine rebounds, while senior forward Peter Lawal (Uniondale, N.Y./Uniondale) had 10 points as well.

Darin Mency had a team-high 25 points for Merrimack (1-0), to lead four players in double-digits. Micky Burtnyk had 23 points and five three-pointers, while Lightfoot Taylor had 16 points, and Takeya Faison added 11.

Merrimack forced 18 turnovers and limited the Eagles to 35.6 percent (26-73) from the field, 31.8 percent (7-22) from three-point range. Post did enjoy a 47-37 margin on the glass, including a 20-12 edge in offensive rebounds.

The Eagles also converted 85.7 percent (18-21) of their charity stripe tosses.

Merrimack connected on 45.6 percent (26-57) from the field, including 50 percent in the first half. The Warriors also knocked down 48 percent (12-25) from behind the arc, and 79.3 percent (23-29) from the free throw line.

Post will have a quick turnaround, as it will get ready for two games at the Purple Knight Classic, this weekend at the University of Bridgeport. The Eagles will face American International on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., and Bryant College on Sunday at 2 p.m., both games will be held at the University of Bridgeport.

Game Notes: With his 29 points this evening, AJ Reitter needs four to reach 600 in his collegiate career ... Post begins the season playing four games over six days ... Dating back to last season, Jesse Iyalekhue has tallied double figures in five of his last six games ... With nine rebounds this evening Iyalekhue needs 10 for 300 in his career ... The all-time series between the two schools is tied at 1-1, as Post beat Merrimack on opening night last season, 61-52 at the Drubner Center ... Arthur Robertson needs 31 points for 1,000, and 26 rebounds for 600, he recorded his 101st steal with a pair this evening ... Post falls to 2-3 on opening night under Head Coach Mike Donnelly.