Box Score
 
NEW YORK (Dec. 9, 2021) – The USMMA men's basketball team narrowly lost on the road at non-conference opponent Baruch College, 76-75, on Thursday night at the Bearcats' ARC Arena. It was the Mariners' second one-point loss in the last three games. The setback drops the Mariners' record to 2-5, while Baruch improves to 7-3 with the win.
 
Merchant Marine charged back from a 14-point deficit, 64-50, with just 4:30 to play to come within just three points after a three-pointer by freshman Isaac Vencel (Bloomington, Ind.) with 26 seconds left. The Bearcats hit two free throws shortly after, but then senior Blaine McDonough (Marietta, Ga.) drained another three to make it a two-point game, 74-72, with 14 ticks left.
 
After another USMMA foul and two made free-throws down at Baruch's end, the Mariners got the ball with 10 seconds left and were immediately fouled. Vencel made one-of-two and sophomore Bryce Bristow (Plano, Texas) brought down an offensive board before a jump ball was called.
 
The Mariners retained possession and missed a three, but Bristow again grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. He made both free throws to make it a one-point game, 76-75, with just five seconds left.
 
On the Bearcats' inbound, the ball was coughed up and Merchant Marine controlled it as time wound down and an attempt was thwarted on a last-second steal by Baruch.
 
Vencel led all players in the game with 19 points, while freshman Kody Robinson (Woodbridge, N.J.) added 15 and a game-high six assists, and McDonough finished with 13 points. Bristow contributed nine points and a team-best 11 rebounds.
 
Baruch also had three players scored in double-figures, with sophomore Emil Purisic notching 17 with a game-high 14 rebounds, while freshman Cameron Burns had 13 points and senior Adnan Bajrami added 10.
 
Up next, the Mariners will travel to Division I LIU this coming Monday, Dec. 13, for an exhibition against the Sharks beginning at 7 p.m. at the Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn. Live stats and a live video feed of the game will be available with links posted on the USMMA Men's Basketball Schedule Page.
 
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