The Maritime College men's basketball team was unable to open up 2019 with a win as they fell to Skyline Conference foe Mount Saint Mary 66-41.

The Privateers started off the game hot as three-point shots from Michael Walker (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) and Alec Downes (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) helped Maritime take an 8-0 lead within the first four minutes. Both defenses were playing physical and not allowing any easy buckets, but the Knights started to find some breathing room midway through the first half. Mount Saint Mary took it's first lead of the game with 11:38 remaining at 10-8 and never looked back. A three from Ronan Doherty (Danbury, Conn./Immaculate) a few minutes later brought Maritime back within three points with just under nine minutes remaining, but the Privateers couldn't find the bottom of the net for most of the half and entered the locker room trailing 27-14.

The strong defensive play from both teams continued throughout the second half and Maritime couldn't put together the offensive run they needed to mount a comeback. The Privateers continued to apply pressure until the end of the game to attempt to close the gap but ended up falling 66-41.

Both defenses forced over 20 turnovers in the game with the Knights recording 21 while Maritime tallied 27. The Privateers were only able to tally 38 shots on the game, but they were able to convert on 14 second half free throws.

Brendan McGovern (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) led Maritime with nine points, while Walker chipped in eight of his own. Nicholas Ovanessian (Bayside, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) led the rebounding effort off the bench with four.

Tentatively, the Privateers next game will be on the road at USMMA on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. More information on that contest will be released tomorrow.