KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Nov. 19, 2022) – Lauren Hunter (Tinley Park, Ill.) posted a 22-point, 21-rebound double-double as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's basketball team defeated Coast Guard, 73-70, for its first win in the series since the 2015-16 season. Kaira Winston (Chesterfield, Va.) scored a game-high 24 points, while Grace Jackson (Parma, Idaho) added 19 points and eight rebounds for USMMA (2-0). Dorothy Stotts finished with a team-high 16 points off the bench for Coast Guard (1-3).
 
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• Box Score 

The Mariners shot 41.5 percent (27-of-65) from the floor and posted a +8 margin (52-44) on the glass, while also benefitting from a 32-14 edge in points in the paint. The USMMA defense held the Bears to just 31.6 percent (24-of-76) from the floor. The Bears did make 12 3-pointers, but shot just 32.4 percent (12-of-37) from beyond the arc.
 
USMMA led by nine, 65-56, with just 2:50 left in the fourth quarter before a pair of Coast Guard free throws and a Jacqueline Ward 3-pointer quickly cut the lead to four, 65-61. USMMA twice pushed the lead back to five points before a Stotts 3-pointer brought the Mariner lead down to 69-67 with just 34 seconds to go. The Mariners made 3-of-4 free throws before another 3 from Stotts trimmed the lead down to two once again. Winston then put USMMA up, 73-70, with 1-of-2 free throws and Ward missed a desperation 3-pointer from near halfcourt at the final buzzer.
 
The Mariners trailed, 36-30, at halftime, but stole the momentum after the break with an 8-0 run to open the third quarter. Coast Guard answered with a basket to knot the score at 38-38 before USMMA started another rally, this time using a 10-3 surge to take a 48-41 lead. USMMA outscored the Bears by a 21-10 margin in the frame.
 
Coast Guard scored the game's first six points, eventually opening a 14-5 lead at the 4:35 mark. The Bears led, 18-9, with 2:32 in the first quarter before USMMA scored nine unanswered points to level the score at 18-apiece after one quarter.
 
USMMA returns to action on Nov. 22, hosting Yeshiva at Liebertz Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. Live stats and a live video feed will be available with links on the USMMA Women's Basketball Schedule Page.
 
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