KINGS POINT, N.Y. – The Maritime basketball team defeated their rival Merchant Marine Mariners, 57-51, in a Skyline Conference matchup at the Liebertz Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Senior guard John Liccese (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) moved into 5th place on the program's all-time scoring list, his 13 points on the day gave him 1,254 for his career. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists. Sophomore guard Brendan McGovern (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) scored a team-high 18 points including five three-pointers. Senior center Patrick MacDonald (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius) was all over the boards as he grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds while also scoring seven points. Sophomore guard Michael Walker (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Privateers.
 
Maritime fell behind 2-0 but scored the next eight points thanks to two three-pointers from McGovern and a jumper from Liccese. With the score all tied up at 10 around the 14 minute mark of the first half, the Privateers went on a 15-0 run, holding the Mariners scoreless for over eight minutes. Maritime would stay ahead the rest of the half and go into the break up 30-22.
 
Merchant Marine scored the first two baskets of the second half to cut the lead down to four, 30-26. The Privateers responded with a 10-2 run to push their lead to 12, going up 40-28. Liccese got the run started with a three-pointer, Walker added a layup and one free-throw and then MacDonald scored back to back baskets forcing Merchant Marine to call a timeout at the 14:32 mark.
 
Maritime continued to lead thanks to some good shooting and aggressiveness on the boards. Merchant Marine made a run to get back into the game, eventually cutting the lead to one, 44-43. The Maritime defense did it again as they held the Mariners scoreless for over three minutes and during that span the Privateers went on a 7-0 run to lead 51-43.
 
Maritime was locked in down the stretch making their final 11 shots at the free throw line preventing a comeback for Merchant Marine. The Privateers would go on to win by a final score of 57-51.
 
Maritime (9-12, 6-11 Skyline) will be back in action this Wednesday, February 7th when they host Purchase in a Skyline Conference matchup beginning at 7 p.m. at the Riesenberg Gymnasium.
 
Merchant Marine (9-10, 7-8 Skyline) will return to play this Wednesday, February 7th when they visit Mount St. Vincent in a Skyline Conference matchup at the Peter J. Sharp Center beginning at 7 p.m.