News Release

01/11/06 — Hoboken, NJ - The United States Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team went into the half to the tune of a 17-point deficit and it did not get much better in the second as the Mariners dropped its fourth game in five tries, falling the Stevens Tech, 73-53.



The Ducks got balanced scoring in the first half, with ten players on the 13-man roster getting in the scoring column. Sophomore Jimmy Sanders was the lone offensive presence for the Mariners in the first half with a team-best seven points.



USMMA and Stevens threw jabs in the opening minutes, but two quick fouls called on senior center Zach Wyatte left the Mariners without a post-presence and the Ducks took advantage on Kings Point's dependency on the long ball by jumping out to a double-digit lead almost instantaneously.



Kings Point shot a mere 3-of-11 from beyond the arch in first stanza. Tech forced 11 USMMA turnovers and dominated the glass (22-11) in the frame.



The Blue & Gray (5-6, 0-2 Skyline) mounted a charge to open the second half. Following a free throw by Paul Tricarico and jumper by Wyatte, Brian Kelly drilled a three ball from the right baseline to pull the Mariners to within 11 points, 37-26. But Stevens (7-5, 2-1 Skyline) would quickly reply with eight unanswered points by Virgil Gray to dig the Mariners a 19-point hole with 16:21 remaining.



Wyatte led the way for the Mariners in the loss with a team-best 16 points, while Sanders chipped in with 12. Gray paced the Ducks with a game-high 21 points. Damien Palantino, who put on a show from beyond the arch, scored 15.



USMMA returns to action on Monday, Jan. 17 looking to capture its first conference win of the season versus Maritime at 7 p.m.