Box Score
 
BRONX, N.Y. (Feb. 12, 2022) – The USMMA men's basketball team picked up a narrow rivalry win at Skyline North Division foe SUNY Maritime, 62-60, on Saturday afternoon at the Privateers' Riesenberg Hall Gymnasium. The victory improves the Mariners' record to 13-8 overall (10-4 Skyline), clinching a winning season for Merchant Marine, its first in a full campaign since 2012-13, while the Privateers fall to 3-18 (0-14 Skyline) with the loss.
 
Play was so close throughout the afternoon that neither team held a lead of more than seven points, with that advantage being held by the Mariners early in the first half. The Privateers' largest lead of three points, 47-44, came at 9:33 of the second half.
 
The hosts actually held a two-point advantage, 58-56, with just 39 ticks remaining, but freshman Isaac Vencel (Bloomington, Ind.) recorded a three-point play less than 10 seconds later that gave USMMA a lead that they didn't wind up relinquishing.
 
But it wasn't without some last-second drama, as the Mariners held a one-point lead with three second remaining. Sophomore Josh Kauffman (East Providence, R.I.) converted one-of-two free throws to make it 62-60, and the Privateers' last-second three-point heave that would have won the game for Maritime hit the back rim and caromed out.
 
Vencel led three Mariners who scored in double-figures with 16 points, while sophomore Bryce Bristow (Plano, Texas) added 13 points and eight rebounds to go along with three blocks and freshman Kody Robinson (Woodbridge, N.J.) drained 11 points with a team-best three 3-pointers. Sophomore DeMarcus Spivey (Ashburn, Va.) contributed eight points and four boards, and senior Blaine McDonough (Marietta, Ga.) brought down a team-best nine rebounds.
 
For the Privateers, senior Jaylin Gray led all players in the game with 23 points and five assists, while classmate Ryan Donovan had a double-double with 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
The Mariners will travel to Sarah Lawrence College this Tuesday night, Feb. 15, to take on the Gryphons in Skyline North Division action. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. 6 p.m. at SLC's Campbell Sports center. Live stats and a live video feed of the game will be available with links on the USMMA Men's Basketball Schedule Page.
 
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