Box Score

THROGS NECK, NY – The 2008-09 men's basketball season came to a close Wednesday night, after a 79-67 loss to the top-seeded Montclair Red Hawks in the ECAC Division III Metro Tournament Quarterfinals. The 8th seeded Privateers fought back from a 16 point deficit to cut it to 5, but couldn't overcome the Red Hawk's large lead. Maritime ended the season with a 15-13 overall record, after participating in their second straight Skyline Conference Semi-Final and their second ever ECAC Tournament (other after 1997-98 season). The Red Hawks will move on to play Lehman College in the semi-finals.
 
The Red Hawks jumped to an early 2-0 lead after a missed assignment on the tip-off presented them with a wide open layup. Maritime tied the game a minute later, getting a layup from senior Tim Dougherty (Fresh Meadows, N.Y./St. Francis Prep). After Montclair missed on their next possession, Maritime took the lead after Giovanni Hurley (Brooklyn, N.Y./Middle College High) grabbed an offensive board and put it back for 2. That would prove to be the Privateer's only lead in the game, as the Red Hawks shot 55% from the field in the first half, including 8-11 at the line. Maritime struggled, shooting only 36% from the field, and attempting only 2 fouls shots. 

Montclair held a 40-29 edge at the half and came out of the locker room looking to expand on the lead and take over the game. They were able to expand their lead to 16 at the 13:50 mark, but were not able to take over the game. The Privateers mounted a second half comeback that rivaled any they've had this season, switching into a stifling 3-2 zone that put Montclair back on their heels. The rally began with a three pointer by Rahshawn Pringle (Bronx, N.Y./Frederick Douglas), and then he hit another to cut the lead to 8 a few possessions later. After cutting the lead to 10 at the 11:12 mark, Kevin Josey (Staten Island, N.Y./Monroe Webster) scored 5 straight points, including a three pointer from 3 feet behind the arc to cut the lead in half. Montclair tried to pull away, but couldn't as Sam Porte (Harlem, N.Y./H.S. for Math, Science & Engineering) threw down a strong dunk in traffic with just under 7 minutes to play to keep the deficit at 5. Porte followed with another layup at the 5 minute mark to keep his team within 5, but the Privateers ran out of gas. Maritime was outscored 15-8 after that score, and finished the game with a 79-67 loss. 

Leading the way for Maritime was Kevin Josey (Staten Island, N.Y./Monroe Webster) with 22 points on 9-15 shooting and 4-9 from behing the arc. Rahshawn Pringle (Bronx, N.Y./Frederick Douglas) had 12 points and three assists while Jermelle Fraser (Bronx, NY/Cardinal Spellman) added 11 points and 4 rebounds to pace the Privateers. Montclair was led by Ali Mix with 27 points and Jon Georges with 22 points and 18 rebounds.