THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Maritime basketball team fell short, 81-77, in overtime to the Purchase Panthers in a Skyline Conference matchup at the Riesenberg Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
 
Sophomore guard Brendan McGovern (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) scored 19 points on the night including five three-pointers and two steals. Senior center Patrick MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) also had 19 points while grabbing 14 rebounds to give him another double-double on the year. Senior guard John Liccese (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) added 15 points and a season-high nine assists while sophomore guard Michael Walker (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) recorded 13 points and six rebounds.
 
Both teams went back and forth in the opening five minutes trading baskets. The Privateers had a slight lead with under 12 minutes to go in the first half when freshman guard Nick McTighe (Merrick, N.Y./Holy Trinity) knocked down a three-pointer to put Maritime up by four, 19-15. Walker added a basket plus one free throw to push the Privateers lead to seven.
 
Maritime continued to extend their lead throughout the rest of the first half as they led by as many as 13 points. At halftime Maritime led 39-29, thanks to 63% shooting including four of seven from three.

Purchase scored the first basket of the second half, then Maritime responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Liccese to go up 45-31. The Privateers continued to execute in the half-court maintaining their lead until Purchase started to mount a comeback with around five minutes left in regulation.
 
With 13 seconds left, Purchase hit one of two free throws to tie the score at 70. Both teams had opportunities to win in regulation but could not convert.
 
Purchase went up by three with just over three minutes remaining in the first overtime period but Maritime answered right back with another three from McGovern to tie the score at 75. Both teams were tied again at 77 with 1:26 remaining but Purchase would pull away knocking down two free throws and one layup to lead 81-77.
 
Maritime ran out of gas falling 81-77 in overtime.
 
Maritime (9-13, 6-12 Skyline) will be back in action this Saturday, February 10th when they host Mount St. Mary in a Skyline Conference matchup beginning at 1 p.m. at the Riesenberg Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Purchase (15-8, 10-6 Skyline) will return to play this Saturday, February 10th when they host St. Joseph's (L.I.) in a Skyline Conference matchup at the Purchase Gymnasium beginning at 12 p.m.