KINGS POINT, N.Y. – The Maritime basketball team defeated their rival Merchant Marine Mariners, 57-51, in a Skyline Conference matchup at the Liebertz Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Senior guard John Liccese (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) moved into 5th place on the program's all-time scoring list, his 13 points on the day gave him 1,254 for his career. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists. Sophomore guard Brendan McGovern(Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) scored a team-high 18 points including five three-pointers. Senior center Patrick MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) was all over the boards as he grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds while also scoring seven points. Sophomore guard Michael Walker (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Privateers.
 
Maritime fell behind 2-0 but scored the next eight points thanks to two three-pointers from McGovern and a jumper from Liccese. With the score all tied up at 10 around the 14 minute mark of the first half, the Privateers went on a 15-0 run, holding the Mariners scoreless for over eight minutes. Maritime would stay ahead the rest of the half and go into the break up 30-22.
 
Merchant Marine scored the first two baskets of the second half to cut the lead down to four, 30-26. The Privateers responded with a 10-2 run to push their lead to 12, going up 40-28. Liccese got the run started with a three-pointer, Walker added a layup and one free-throw and then MacDonald scored back to back baskets forcing Merchant Marine to call a timeout at the 14:32 mark.
 
Maritime continued to lead thanks to some good shooting and aggressiveness on the boards. Merchant Marine made a run to get back into the game, eventually cutting the lead to one, 44-43. The Maritime defense did it again as they held the Mariners scoreless for over three minutes and during that span the Privateers went on a 7-0 run to lead 51-43.
 
Maritime was locked in down the stretch making their final 11 shots at the free throw line preventing a comeback for Merchant Marine. The Privateers would go on to win by a final score of 57-51.
 
Maritime (9-12, 6-11 Skyline) will be back in action this Wednesday, February 7th when they host Purchase in a Skyline Conference matchup beginning at 7 p.m. at the Riesenberg Gymnasium.
 
Merchant Marine (9-10, 7-8 Skyline) will return to play this Wednesday, February 7th when they visit Mount St. Vincent in a Skyline Conference matchup at the Peter J. Sharp Center beginning at 7 p.m.