KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Dec. 9, 2025) – The USMMA men's basketball team trailed for over 31 minutes of its non-conference home showdown with Hunter College on Tuesday, but used a late surge to come out on top of the Hawks, 57-52, at the Liebertz Gymnasium. The victory improved the Mariners' record to 3-4, while Hunter fell to 2-7 with the loss.
 
Game Links

• Box Score
• WATCH: Postgame Interview With Mason Lavergne 

A pair of players scored in double-figures for the Mariners as freshman Jack Flannery (McKinney, Texas) led all players with 18 points and sophomore Mason Lavergne (Baton Rouge, La.) put up 12, thanks in large part to three 3-pointers. Classmate Tim Barton (Waldorf, Md.) scored eight points and tied for the game-high with eight rebounds and freshman Richard Sykes Jr. (Tampa, Fla.) added seven points off the bench.
 
USMMA opened the game with strong defensive energy, challenging shots at the rim and winning battles on the glass even as early shots did not fall. Kings Point generated quality looks around the basket and from the perimeter but had to work through a slow shooting start while Hunter built a slim lead. The Mariners continued to defend well and stayed within striking distance throughout the first half, trailing just 30-20 at the break thanks to the efforts of senior Clark Castleberry (Reston, Va.) and Barton protecting the paint and freshman Jack Van de Erve (Charleston, S.C.) and Lavergne forced key stops.
 
Early in the second half, the Mariners' effort on both ends began to shift momentum. KP's defense forced long possessions for the Hawks, and contributions from freshman Noah Brown (Hedgesville, W.Va.) and sophomores Aaron Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.) and Colin Hart (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.) helped keep the deficit manageable. As USMMA continued to chip away, the group tightened up its offensive execution, converting more second-chance opportunities and pushing the pace when possible. The home side pulled within a single possession with five minutes left, positioning itself for a strong finish.
 
The final stretch belonged to the Mariners, who surged back for the victory. Barton sparked the run with big rebounds and finishes, while Hart delivered key points in the paint to give USMMA its first lead of the night. Flannery and Zalescik helped close out possessions defensively, and steady execution and clutch free throws down the stretch allowed Kings Point to finish on top. The Mariners outscored Hunter 37-21 in the second half to secure the 57-52 comeback win.
 
Both teams worked through stretches of cold shooting, with USMMA finishing at 33.9 percent from the field and Hunter at 34.5 percent. The Mariners had a slight edge from behind the arc at 7-for-25 while also converting 8-of-11 at the free throw line. Hunter held a narrow 44-39 advantage on the glass, but Kings Point's defensive pressure limited the Hawks to just two points off turnovers, while USMMA turned takeaways into 11 points at the other end. The Mariners also created a 24-16 advantage in points in the paint and scored six fast-break points, helping fuel the late turnaround. After trailing for more than 31 minutes, USMMA held the lead only for the final couple of minutes, but that was all they needed to close out the win.
 
Georgios Gatsias led Hunter with 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting while adding seven rebounds and four assists, and Jeremiah Otasowie contributed eight points and tied Barton for the game-high with eight boards. Jayden Jarrett joined Gatsias in double figures with 10 points off the bench for the Hawks.
 
The Mariners hit the road this Saturday, Dec. 13, when they travel to Patchogue, N.Y., to take on St. Joseph's-Long Island in the Skyline Conference opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Golden Eagles' Danzi Athletic Center Gym.
 
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