BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Nov. 22, 2011) – The Maritime men's basketball team used an 86.1-percent free throw percentage (31-for-36), including a game-high 16-for-17 performance from the charity stripe by senior Mike McSloy (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park), to defeat Skyline-foe NYU-Poly, 71-64, Tuesday night at the Blue Jays' Jacobs Gymnasium. The victory was the Privateers' first of the season and improved their record to 1-3 (1-0 Skyline), while Poly falls to 0-3 (0-1 Skyline) in defeat.
McSloy led all players in the game for the fourth time this season, scoring 26 points for the second-straight contest. Grad student Sam Porte (Harlem, N.Y./H.S. for Math, Sci. & Engin.) nearly recorded a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. Two other Privateers scored in double-figures: freshman T-Vaughn Gibson (Freeport, Bahamas/Sun Life Academy) had 13 and sophomore Jack Cole (Bethany Beach, Del./Indian River) chipped in 12. Junior Henry Evans (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Stillwater) brought down a game-high eight rebounds.
Neither of the teams established a large lead in the first half and both fell into foul trouble early. The score was tied five times in the opening 20 minutes before the Privateers finished strong to take a three point lead, 36-33, into the locker rooms at halftime. McSloy had 14 points in the first half, thanks in large part to a 10-for-11 performance from the free throw line.
The score was tied six more times early in the second half, but Maritime pulled away for good at the 10:03 mark, when Porte sank a free throw that gave the Privateers a lead they wouldn't give up. A technical foul against Poly for an illegal substitution at 6:29 put McSloy at the line and he sank both of his free throws. On that same possession, Gibson gave the Privateers an eight-point lead, 57-49, on a jumper at 6:21. The Blue Jays would fight back to within three points on two separate occasions, but Maritime was able to hold off the home team for the victory.
NYU-Poly was paced by sophomore Stefan Stoyanovich, who had 16 points and a blocked shot. Senior Eric Southworth added 11 points, and junior Jason Samuels chipped in 10 more for the Jays.
The Privateers will not return to the court for a game until after the Thanksgiving break, as they will welcome in Skyline-opponent Sage next Tuesday, Nov. 29. Tipoff against the Gators is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Riesenberg Hall Gymnasium.