Box Score THROGS NECK, NY - The Maritime Privateers garnered their first ever victory over the Panthers of Old Westbury at home Wednesday night, with an 88-77 victory. Maritime played their way into fourth place in the conference with a 4-2 record (6-5 overall). Westbury dropped to 4-3 in the conference, 5-9 overall.
With four losses coming in the last 30 seconds of the game, the Privateers didn't wait to turn it on. The Panthers led only twice during the game, for a total of 41 seconds, in the first half. Maritime held a double digit lead in the final 11 minutes of play, leading by as many as 16 at one point. Rahshawn Pringle (Bronx, N.Y./Frederick Douglas) (Bronx, NY/Frederick Douglas) led all scorers with 22 points, a season high for Pringle. Tim Dougherty (Fresh Meadows, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) (Fresh Meadows, NY/St. Francis Prep) followed with a double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds, bringing his career total to 984 points. Three other Privateers scored in double digits; Quamel Lyerly (Inwood, N.Y./Lawrence) (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence) with 12, Joe Bracaglia (Jamaica, NY/Martin Van Buren) with 11, and Jermelle Fraser (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Spellman) (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Spellman) with 11.
Leading by 4 at the half, the Privateers opened the second half with a 12-5 run, capped with a breakaway dunk by Quamel Lyerly (Inwood, N.Y./Lawrence). That dunk gave the Privateers the momentum and they continuously answered Westbury's field goals with ones of their own. The Panthers pulled to within 8 after Hakiem George hit a three pointer at the 11:47 mark, but that would be as close as they would get down the stretch. Maritime's largest lead, 16, came at the 3 minute mark, when Andre Cooper (Baltimore, Md./Southwestern) (Baltimore, MD) connected on a fastbreak layup.
Maritime shot an impressive 68% from the field in the second half, and finished the game with a 55% effort. They connected on a third of their 3-pt. attempts (5-15) and made 70% of their foul shots. Westbury struggled from the field, shooting 35% from the field and from 3-pt. range for the game. The Panthers did out-rebound the Privateers on the offensive glass (15-9), but Maritime out-rebounded the Panthers overall, 46-34.
Leading the way for the Panthers were Bill Reese and Hakiem George with 19 apiece. Shane DeNully followed with 13 and Patrick Bonna recorded 11. Nobody on the Panthers had double-digit rebounds.
The Maritime basketball team would like to thank Richmond Community Services for their support at tonight's game. RCS serves individuals with development disabilities. "Having them at tonight's game means a lot to the team, and as a community we are here to support their mission anyway possible", commented Coach King.
Up next for the Privateers is a conference home game against St. Joseph's College on Saturday. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:00PM.
Tickets are now available on a first come, first served basis for the February 3rd game at the IZOD center. Please visit the basketball page and click on the link to the right for ticket information and order form.
