MADISON, N.J. (December 4, 2010) - The Rangers had the defending Landmark Conference Champions on the ropes with a thee-point lead with a little over five minutes to play but were unable to sustain a 10-0 Mariner run over the final three minutes.

The Landmark Conference opener needed all 40 minutes to decide a winner this afternoon as Merchant Marine (3-3, 1-0 Landmark) was able to defeat Drew (2-3, 0-1 Landmark) 83-75 in Baldwin Gymnasium. The contest saw the lead change hand 19 times.

The visiting Mariners were in for a dogfight from the first whistle as neither team's lead was over five until the final three minutes of play. The Rangers would hold the largest lead of the game in the early minutes thanks in part to the play of Dara Mc Keon (Dunboyne, Ireland/St. Peter's College). The junior transfer got the hoop and the harm off a nice pass from Dylan Bulger (Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Academy). McKeon would convert the free throw to give the Rangers a five point advantage 2:08 into the game.

The Landmark Conference's leading scorer, Asmar Capers (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan), would collect 13 of his 20 points in the first half. He went 4-of-7 from the floor including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes of play.

Merchant Marine's ability to close out halves would ultimately put them ahead for good. Drew held two leads before the end the first half but Merchant was able to tally the four of the final six points, including a runner in the lane as time expired, to take a four-point lead into the locker room.

Drew would once again surrender a late lead with 3:46 left in the game. The Mariners would score 10-straight points in just under three minutes of play. The game would become a free-throw battle in Merchant Marine only missed two in the entire second half to help close out the Rangers.

McKeon finished with 12 points and three rebounds. Freshman Luke Glass (Rumson, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) was the other Ranger in double figures as he chipped in 10 points off the bench.


The Rangers turn around and travel to Keystone on Monday aftenoon as a tune-up for their highly anticipated matchup against FDU on Wednesday evening.