Box Score THROGS NECK, NY - The SUNY Maritime men's basketball team opened their season at California Maritime, this year's host of the annual Maritime Tip-Off Tournament. The Privateers fell in their opening game against defending champion Coast Guard, then beat Maine Maritime in the consolation game.
In a rematch of last season's championship game, the Coast Guard men defeated Maritime 75-59 behind Craig Johnson's 29 points and 13 rebounds. Teammate Jevon James added 18 points and 15 boards for the Bears who moved into the Championship game with the victory. They ultimately won their second Maritime Cup in a row, by defeating host California Maritime.
The Privateers were led by senior Paul Frazier (Baltimore, MD/Mervo) with 27 points on 7-23 shooting (10-15 from the free throw line). Frazier pulled down 10 rebounds to record a double-double. Kevin Josey (Staten Island, N.Y./Monroe Webster) (Staten Island, NY/Monroe Webster) came off the bench and had 11 points as the only other Privateer in double figures.
In the consolation match against Maine Maritime, the Privateers enjoyed a 14 point halftime lead, but had to work hard in the second half for the win. Maine outscored the Privateers 31-23 in the second half, but it was not good enough as SUNY Maritime won 63-57. Despite the 14 point deficit at the half, Maine Maritime battled back to within 1 multiple times, but the Privateers never gave back the lead. Derek DiFrederico led Maine with 19 points, nine of which came from the free throw line.
Paul Frazier led the Privateer attack once again, scoring 24 points and recording 13 rebounds. Josey came off the bench and added 13 points, including a three point shot from 4 feet behind the arc to give the Privateers a 59-53 edge late in the game. Quamel Lyerly (Inwood, N.Y./Lawrence) (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence) had 10 points on 4-7 shooting.
Frazier, who averaged 25.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in the tournament, was named to the All-Tournament Team. Maritime will have only one day before the home opener on Tuesday against the school's biggest rival. Kings Point will be coming to Riesenberg Gymnasium on Tuesday at 8:00PM.
