KINGS POINT, N.Y. (February 19, 2011) – The Drew men's basketball team will host its first ever Landmark Conference playoff game on Wednesday thanks to a 64-60 win over Merchant Marine this afternoon. The Rangers will host Catholic University on Wednesday evening at a time to be announced.

Already with a playoff ticket punched, the Rangers needed a win for the opportunity to host a playoff game in Baldwin Gym. Drew (14-11, 9-5 Landmark), as they've done all season, erased a second half lead and held on to win program-record ninth conference game.

Merchant Marine (14-11, 8-6 Landmark) came out of the locker room in the second half scoring the first six points and eventually built a five point lead at the 14:09 mark. The next four minutes of basketball was some of the most exciting of the 2010-11 season.

The Rangers would come storming back thanks to red-hot shooting from behind the arc. After tying the game at 41 the Rangers would go on a 16-7 run and open a 10 point lead with 9:56 to play. Dara Mc Keon (Dunboynne, Ireland/St. Peter's College) hit two three pointers on back-to-back possessions and the big Ranger run was capped by Kyle Joyce's (Hanover, Mass./Xavieran Brothers) long ball.

Drew had captured all the game's momentum with the run and had a comfortable lead down the stretch. The Mariners managed to cut the lead to one point in the final minute of play. Merchant Marine made the score 61-60 with 1:51 left off two Jeffery Mark free throws. Trying to use as much clock as possible, Dylan Bulger (Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Academy) would have a shot, with an expiring shot clock, rattle off the rim. A hustle play by Mc Keon would tip the ball right back into Bulger's hands for a new 35 seconds. He was immediately fouled and went on to make one of two free throws, making the score 62-60.

The Mariners would squander their opportunity to tie when they turned the ball over with 16 seconds remaining. Forced to foul, Mike Mayes (Linden, N.J./St. Mary's) would go to the line for two free throws. The senior's first shot would hit almost every part of the rim and eventually drop making the 63-60. Mayes' second shot got nothing but net and iced the game for the Rangers.

Asmar Capers (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) paced the Rangers offense and finished the game with 26 points and five rebounds. Joyce was the team's second leading scorer with 12, all by virtue of the three pointer. The senior was 4-of-7 from downtown, hitting on the first four shots he took.

The Landmark Conference playoff picture is set as Drew will play host to Catholic on Wednesday who took the #3 seed despite the outcome of their game on Saturday. #1 Scranton will welcome Merchant Marine on Wednesday evening to round off the pairings.

A time has yet to be determined for Wednesday, check www.drewrangers.com for the latest news.