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PURCHASE, N.Y. (Feb. 9, 2022) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team used a big first-half surge to defeat Skyline North Division foe Purchase College, 76-57, on Wednesday night. The win improved the Mariners' record to 12-8 (9-4 Skyline) on the season, it's the first time they've had 12 wins since the 2013-14 season, while the Panthers fall to 5-15 (5-8 Skyline) in defeat.
 
Two USMMA players recorded double-doubles – senior Blaine McDonough (Marietta, Ga.) tied the game-high with 17 points and brought down a career-high 19 rebounds and sophomore Bryce Bristow (Plano, Texas) had 13 points and 11 boards. Freshman Isaac Vencel (Bloomington, Ind.) matched McDonough's 17-point output and also led all players with six assists including one on a beautiful alley-oop to Bristow in the first half from just over the half-court line.
 
The Panthers held a 14-11 lead at 11:35 of the first half before the Mariners rattled off a 19-0 run, holding Purchase scoreless for over eight minutes, to jump out to a 30-14 advantage. They continued onto what wound up being a 25-2 run over a nearly 11-minute span and finished the first with a 39-23 lead.
 
The Merchant Marine lead never fell below 15 points in the entire second half, as the Mariners cruised on to the victory. USMMA held big advantages in rebounds (51-31), points in the paint (44-22) and second-chance points (19-8).
 
The Mariners will stay on the road this weekend when they travel to the Bronx to face rival SUNY Maritime College this Saturday, Feb. 12. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Privateers' Riesenberg Hall Gym. 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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