No Robert Phinisee, no problem for McCutcheon as the Mavericks defeated Merrillville at the Marion Classic. Seniors Eddy Collins and Haden Deaton carried McCutcheon to the victory.

Without 2018 star Robert Phinisee, McCutcheon needed Haden Deaton and Eddy Collins to carry the load. The duo exceeded expectations of production with Phinisee out with an injury. Deaton and Collins combined for 66 points with Collins going for 37 points. Each time McCutcheon needed a basket, Collins or Deaton stepped up for the Mavericks.

Merrillville scored on a Cameron Wilbon layup to kick off the game. That was the only lead that the Pirates had all game. Although it was their only lead, the game was played primarily in a two-possession window.

Senior guard Jonah Jackson was hot from three-point range early in the game. He knocked down four threes in the first quarter. His 12 points in the opening quarter helped Merrillville stay in the game as McCutcheon was scoring in waves.

The second half was really entertaining. Cameron Wilbon and Mileek McMillan stepped up for Merrillville. McMillan, a Valparaiso University signee, didn’t score in the first half but scored 14 in the second. Wilbon was much more aggressive after halftime. Wilbon tallied 15 of his 21 points in the second half.

The Collins and Deaton show continued in the second half for McCutcheon. The Mavs scored 43 points in the second half with the pair accounting for 35. The two kept producing down the stretch despite increased attention from the Pirate defense.

Merrillville went on a 9-0 run to cut the McCutcheon lead to three points with under a minute to play. McCutcheon hit six free throws to seal the victory from there.

McCutcheon won 77-74.

Merrillville – Jonah Jackson 20 points (7-19 FG, 6-16 3FG), Johnny Bernard 12 points (4-14 FG, 2-5 3FG), 5 rebounds, Cameron Wilbon 21 points (10-15 FG, 1-3 3FG), 8 rebounds, 6 assists, Mileek McMillan 14 points (4-8 FG), 3 rebounds, James Kirklen 3 points, Jaylon Holmes 4 points, 5 rebounds

McCutcheon – Eddy Collins 37 (11-20 FG, 3-9 3FG, 12-14 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 8 turnovers, Haden Deaton 29 points (10-20 FG, 5-9 3FG, 4-7 FT), 11 rebounds, Kelden Tyson 4 points, 3 rebounds, Gavin Dunbar 7 points, 5 rebounds