BRONX, N.Y. (Jan. 17, 2026) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team led wire-to-wire and held off a late surge to defeat the University of Mount Saint Vincent, 79–72, on Saturday afternoon at Peter Jay Sharp Center. The Mariners' second straight victory improves their record to 6-9 (3-3 Skyline) while the Dolphins drop to 2-13 (1-5 Skyline) with the loss.
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Three Mariners scored in double figures in the contest, with sophomore Mason Lavergne (Baton Rouge, La.) leading the way with a team-high 20 points while freshman Jack Flannery (McKinney, Texas) chipped in with 18 points and snagged a game-best four steals. Freshman Richard Sykes Jr. (Tampa, Fla.) registered a career-high 16 points, and sophomore Aaron Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.) hauled down a game-high 10 rebounds. Freshman Noah Brown (Hedgesville, W.Va.) also dished out a career-high six assists.
Merchant Marine shot 54.1 percent from the field (33-of-61), outrebounded UMSV 30–22, and outscored them 46-42 in the paint. USMMA also totaled 21 assists and forced 20 turnovers, converting them into 25 points.
The Blue and Gray set the tone early, opening the game with baskets from Lavergne at 19:28 and sophomore Colin Hart (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.) at 19:06 to take a 4–0 lead. After the Dolphins cut the margin to one, Sykes Jr. scored five points during a quick surge, including a three-pointer at 14:48 that pushed the visitors ahead 16–8. Flannery continued the run with consecutive finishes in the paint at 14:53 and 11:23, extending the lead to 22–14. USMMA maintained control throughout the half, closing on a 7–3 stretch capped by Zalescik's jumper at 1:00 to carry a 39–28 advantage into halftime.
USMMA opened the second half with momentum, as Sykes Jr. scored in the paint at 19:48 before Flannery knocked down a transition three at 18:52 to make it 44–30. UMSV responded with a series of fast-break baskets to trim the deficit to five, but the Mariners answered behind Lavergne, who scored on back-to-back layups at 15:15 and 12:46 to restore a nine-point cushion, 50-41 and 52-43. Brown connected from deep at 10:47 to make it 55-48, and Flannery added another three at 9:13 as USMMA pushed the lead back to double figures, 60-48.
The hosts made one final push late, cutting the margin to 68–61 with just over three minutes remaining. Lavergne steadied KP at the free-throw line at 1:55, and Sykes Jr. finished inside at 0:22 to make it 79–69. UMSV added a late three, but USMMA closed out the contest to secure the 79–72 victory.
Eric Woodberry led Mt. St. Vincent on offense, erupting for a game-high 30 points, while Louis Vidal and Alex Chi contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Merchant Marine is back at it on Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Skyline Conference play against Mount St. Mary at 7 p.m. at Liebertz Gymnasium.
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