Box Score 2/10/26

WEST WINDSOR TWP., NJ – In the first of four crucial region games in a row for Lackawanna College men's basketball, the Falcons couldn't give themselves that early boost, failing to capitalize late on some key shots in an 89-82 loss on the road to Mercer County CC on Tuesday evening in a Region XIX DII contest at Howie Landa court.
 
The Falcons (12-13, 3-6) were hoping for a win to begin the long climb back above .500 in region play and the push for a potential playoff spot, and they had their chances down the stretch to do just that.
 
With just over six minutes to go, the Falcons were within two at 65-63, after Noah Elias (Silver Spring, MD) buried a three-pointer on the left wing. Mercer (15-11, 9-3) came down and calmly drained their own three out of the timeout, but the Falcons answered with a turnaround by Elijah Smith (Washington, D.C.) in the lane to make it 68-65 with 5:30 remaining.
 
After two Mercer free throws, Smith scored again, this time on a putback, and was fouled in the act, but the lefty missed the free throw, leaving Mercer ahead by three at 70-67.
 
The teams traded pairs of free throws, then Mercer kept a possession alive thanks to an offensive rebound, scored on a wild lay-up underneath, and took a 74-69 lead. Jahsan Simms (Hillside, NJ) added a putback to get the Falcons back within three, again, but another finish at the rim from Mercer made it 76-71 with 3:19 to play.
 
An empty Lackawanna possession led to another spectacular Mercer finish, Lackawanna missed the quick lay-up attempt at the other end, and the Mustangs hit two free throws to go up 80-71 with two to play. However, the Falcons weren't done, as a tip-in, followed by a steal and a corner three from Elias, suddenly had the Falcons back within four with 90 seconds to go.
 
After a timeout, the Mustangs hit a big corner three to go up seven, and the Falcons missed their three-point attempt on the other end. Mercer hit two more free throws to go back up nine, but Xavier Spears (Brooklyn, NY) hit a corner trey to get the Falcons back within six at 85-79 with under a minute to play. After one Mercer free throw, Smith hit a three from the top of the key to get the Falcons within four at 86-82, with 30 seconds remaining.
 
It was too little, too late, though, as the Falcons failed to convert on several three-point attempts after two more Mercer free throws, and the Mustangs salted it away for the win.
 
Elias and Jaksa Pejovic (Podgorica, Montenegro) each had 19 points for Lackawanna, while Smith added 16 points.
 
The loss does not completely end the postseason hopes for Lackawanna, but the Falcons now can finish no better than 6-6 in region play, needing to win their three remaining region contests. That likely means that the Falcons would have to play a first-round game on the road at either the fourth-place or fifth-place team to try to qualify for the Region XIX DII Final Four, scheduled for Thursday, February 26^th and being hosted by Lackawanna College.
 
The next game for the Falcons is on Thursday, February 12^th, with a must-win home game against Raritan Valley CC. Tip is set for 7:00pm ET inside the historic Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium, and the game is the second of a doubleheader, with the women's teams playing first at 5:00pm ET.