KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Jan. 25, 2023) – Led by a strong defensive effort that surrendered just 10 first-half points, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's basketball team won its sixth-straight game with a 65-32 triumph against Farmingdale State. USMMA improved to 16-2 (11-2 Skyline), while Farmingdale State moved to 4-13 (3-9 Skyline).

Game Links

• Box Score
• WATCH: Postgame Interview With Sophomore Kaira Winston 

Senior Lauren Hunter (Tinley Park, Ill.) scored a game-high 12 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for her fourth-straight double-double and 13th of the season. Classmate Madison Demos (Downers Grove, Ill.) finished with 11 points and a game-high 14 boards to notch her seventh double-double of the season. Kaira Winston (Chesterfield, Va.) added 11 points and five steals, while junior Bryanne Buchanan-Cummings (Dacula, Ga.) scored four points to go with 10 rebounds.
 
The Mariners shot 35.8 percent (24-of-67) from the floor and posted a +43 margin (69-26) on the glass. The USMMA defense held the Rams to just 20.0 percent (11-of-55) from the field, including an 11.1 percent (2-of-18) effort from distance.
 
Erin Conte scored a team-high seven points for Farmingdale State, while Jenna Pignataro added six points and five rebounds. The Rams were limited to just 16 points through the first three quarters of action.
 
After a free throw at the 8:45 mark gave the Rams a 1-0 lead, Winston made a layup and the Mariners never trailed again. Winston then added another layup as part of an 8-0 run that quickly saw USMMA grab a seven-point lead. Farmingdale State eventually pulled to within 9-7, but sophomore Grace Jackson (Parma, Idaho) made a 3-pointer as the Mariners closed out the quarter with 11 unanswered points and led 20-7 after the opening frame.
 
The lead quickly ballooned to 28-7 as USMMA scored eight-straight points to open the second quarter, extending its run of unanswered points to 19. Farmingdale State scored the next three points to end the rally, but sophomore Abby Stramski (Jones, Okla.) made a 3-pointer as the Mariners scored another eight unanswered points and took a 36-10 lead at halftime.
 
Jackson opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer as the Mariners scored 10 more unanswered points, extending the run that started before halftime to 18-0 and giving the home team a 46-10 lead. After the Rams followed with six unanswered points of their own, a Demos 3-pointer capped a 9-0 USMMA rally that made it 55-16 at the end of three quarters.
 
The Rams scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to match their output from the first three quarters combined, but never pulled closer than 31 points.
 
USMMA returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 28, with a 1 p.m. road game at St. Joseph's-Brooklyn. Live stats and a live video feed will be available with links on the USMMA Women's Basketball Schedule Page.
 
Receive USMMA Women's Basketball News Right To Your E-Mail!
If you would like to receive the latest news, including all press releases, for the USMMA women's basketball team (or any other team at the academy), sent directly to your e-mail, fill out this form.
 
Follow USMMA Athletics On Social Media!
Be sure to follow USMMA Athletics on social media to get up-to-the-minute updates on your favorite teams! Start following today on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!