THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Maritime basketball team raced past the Mariners of Merchant Marine, 86-81, in a Skyline matchup at Riesenberg Hall Gym on Monday night.
 
Senior guard John Liccese (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) scored 15 points and dished out five assists. With his third assist on the night, Liccese became Maritime's modern-day career assists leader. He now has 334 assists for his career.
 
Senior center Patrick MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius)led the Privateers in scoring with 30 points to give him 1,331 for his career to move into third place on Maritime's all-time scoring list. He also grabbed 17 rebounds, giving him his 10th double-double of the year. Sophomore guard Michael Walker (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) scored 15 points and grabbed seven boards.
 
Maritime got off to a fast start with Walker knocking down his first two three-pointers to jump out to a quick 7-2 lead. The Privateers kept that lead throughout the first half until a basket by Merchant Marine tied the score at 31, with just under five minutes remaining in the opening half. Both teams traded baskets to close out the first half and Maritime went into the break up 41-37.
 
Early in the second half, Maritime knocked down four free throws putting them up 45-38 but then Merchant Marine responded with a quick 9-2 run to tie the game at 47. With the score tied, the Privateers knocked down two quick three-pointers to go up 55-51 and then they extended the lead later on to seven thanks to huge three from junior guard James Bonner (Timonium, Md./Dulaney) to ignite the crowd and put Maritime up by seven.
 
Merchant Marine cut the lead to five with under seven minutes in regulation but that was as close as they could get as Maritime pulled away and hung on for an 86-81 victory.

Maritime (6-6, 3-5 Skyline) will return to action on Wednesday, January 10th when they host Old Westbury for a Skyline Conference matchup beginning at 7 p.m. at Riesenberg Hall Gym.
 
Merchant Marine (5-6, 3-4 Skyline) will be back this Wednesday, January 10th when they visit St. Joseph's (L.I.) starting at 8 p.m. at the Danzi Athletic Center.