THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Maritime Basketball team edged out Purchase, 77-73, in a Thursday evening Skyline Conference matchup. All five starters for Maritime reached double digits in the win.
The Privateers were led by junior forward Isaiah Hayes (Jamaica, N.Y./Queens Teaching) who racked up a double-double with 19 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
Sophomore guard John Liccese (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) also tallied a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four assists. Junior Tim Hoch (Coventry, R.I./Fishers Island (N.Y.)) netted 14 points while going shooting for two from the three point line.
Sophomore Patrick MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) totaled four blocks while adding 12 points and eight rebounds.
Maritime led from the tip, only giving up the lead for less than a minute in the middle of the first half. The game started off close with both teams exchanging baskets. At the 14:16 mark, Hoch hit a layup in the paint to break the tie and give Maritime the lead, 10-8. A few minutes later, junior Brendan Halligan hit a three-point shot making the score 21-17.
Liccese scored the bulk of his points in a few minute flurry towards the end the first half. With 1:28 left on the clock, he hit a deep three, then followed that up with a lob to MacDonald that resulted in an and-one dunk and then Liccese hit another three on the next possession to push the lead to 33-25. Liccese finished the first half with eight points, eight rebounds and three assists. The score was 33-28 going into the break.
Maritime played well to start the second half. Hoch scored his team's first five points out of the break pushing the lead to eight.
The largest lead for the Privateers was fifteen when they led 51-36 with just over 12 minutes remaining.
Purchase (11-11, 9-8 Skyline) rallied back towards the end of the half behind play from senior center Joel Neri who totaled 24 points and 20 rebounds in the loss. The game ended 77-73.
Maritime (6-16, 6-11 Skyline) will look to carry their momentum into their next game at Mount St. Mary on February 13 at 1 p.m.
