BRONXVILLE, N.Y. (Jan. 7, 2014) – The Maritime men's basketball team held off a strong second-half comeback effort by Sarah Lawrence College on the road Tuesday night to defeat the Gryphons, 75-67, at SLC's Noyes Court for the Privateers first win of the New Year. Maritime improves to 3-7 overall on the season, while the Gryphons fall to 4-6.
Junior Sean Corley (Harlem, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall Academy) recorded his second straight double-double, leading Maritime with his season-best 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds. He also came within two assists of a triple-double, dishing out eight helpers on the night. Classmate T'Vaughn Gibson (Freeport, Bahamas/Sunland Baptist Academy) contributed 18 points, while sophomore Tim McNamara (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) had 11 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
The Privateers struck first in the game on a three-pointer by freshman Kevin Heine (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) (eight points), but Sarah Lawrence responded with an 8-2 run over the next two minutes thanks in part to two treys by sophomore Josh Niebloom. The Gryphons lead grew to as much as five points ,13-8, under five minutes into the game, but Corley scored the next eight points of the game to give Maritime a 16-13 lead and then Gibson added the next four to put the Privateers up seven, 20-13, at 11:10.
The advantage hit double-digits after a jumper by McNamara at 7:01 made the score 26-16. Play was back-and-forth for the remainder of the half and Maritime took a 32-23 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Privateers were great in transition throughout the first 20 minutes, outscoring SLC 10-2 in fast break points in the half.
A three-pointer by freshman Brandon Halligan (Durham, N.Y./Cairo-Durham) (six points) to start the second half gave Maritime a 12-point advantage and the lead kept growing until the Privateers had a game-best 18-point lead, 59-41, with 10:25 to play. However, the Gryphons fought back strong with a 25-10 run over the next nine minutes to come within just three points, 69-66, with just 1:25 to play. Maritime ended on a 6-1 run, though, to hang on for the victory.
Freshman Stevan Radosavljevic recorded 18 points and brought down a game-high 20 rebounds for Sarah Lawrence. Three other Gryphons scored in double-figures, as Niebloom ended with 17 points, freshman Wyatt Rocheleau had 11 points and classmate Graham Gilleran had 10 points and nine boards.
The remainder of the games for Maritime the rest of the way this 2013-14 season will be Skyline Conference contest and the Privateers will look to keep the momentum from this win as they go into Old Westbury this Thursday night, Jan. 9. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Panthers' Clark Athletic Center.