THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Maritime basketball team opened up the 2017-18 season with a victory over the York Cardinals on Wednesday night at Riesenberg Hall Gymnasium by the score of 79-69. With the win Head Coach Mike Berkun earned his first career victory.
 
The Privateers were led by sophomore guard Brendan McGovern (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist), who had a career-high 29 points including six three-pointers. Senior forward Isaiah Hayes (Jamaica, N.Y./Queens Teaching)recorded a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 16 rebounds with three blocks. Senior Patrick MacDonald(Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) notched his first double-double of the season after recording 18 double-doubles as a junior, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Prior to the game, Maritime recognized senior guard John Liccese (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman), with a commemorative game ball for scoring his 1,000th point against Sage in the final game of the 2016-17 season.
 
Maritime opened the game slow trailing by a 9-4 score, when McGovern knocked down a three from the wing. That sparked to a 9-0 run for the Privateers to put them up 13-9. Both teams exchanged leads as the score went back and forth the rest of the first half. Maritime went into half trailing 36-33.
 
After a basket from York to open the second half, Maritime trailed by five but made their way back to tie the game at 41 thanks to two layups from MacDonald and a basket from Liccese and freshman Brennan Whelen.
 
The Privateers took the lead on their next possession thanks to a fastbreak layup from Liccese to go up 43-41. With the score knotted at 52, McGovern hit his fifth three-pointer to put Maritime up three. McGovern's bucket led to a 12-1 run for the Privateers to go up 64-53 as McGovern scored eight of the 12 points.
 
York made a small run late in the game to cut the lead to one but Maritime fought off the Cardinals and held on the for the victory at home.
 
Maritime (1-0) will be back in action on Tuesday, November 21st when they visit St. Joseph's (L.I.) to open up Skyline play beginning at 7 p.m. on the Danzi Athletic Center.
 
York (0-1) will play next on Friday, November 17th at Rosemont College in Chester, Pa. beginning at 6 p.m.