USMMA got off to a sluggish first half, shooting just 20-percent from the field (5-of-20). Nonetheless, despite their offensive woes, the Mariners trailed by just 11 at the half, 27-16.
In the second, Kings Point mounted a comeback, but its efforts went for naught as the Blue & Gray failed to pull even. USMMA rallied with a 12-2 run to pull to within one, 29-28. Old Westbury’s Russell Brereton gave the Panthers a much needed basket to up the advantage to three. Zach Wyatt replied with a lay up on the other end, but the Panthers scored another big bucket on Remel Phillips’ three-pointer to up the lead to four, 34-30. The Mariners would never recover.
USMMA hung around as Paul Tricarico made it a three-point game with 5:49 remaining, but the Panthers would put the nail in the coffin with an 11-3 run in the waning minutes en route to claiming the win.
With the loss Kings Point falls to 5-6 in conference play at 10-12 overall, while Old Westbury improved to 12-9 overall and 6-5 in the league.
Wyatt led the way with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. He was the lone Mariner in double-figures. Brereton led the way for the Panthers with 15 points, while Phillips and Jared Weir notched 14 and 10, respectively.
The Mariners return to action on Thursday, Feb. 9 at Yeshiva. Tip off is slated for 8 p.m.