The Maritime College men's basketball team faced a tough test on the road Tuesday night as they traveled to John Jay for their home opener. The Privateers were unable to come up with the win and ultimately fell by a score of 75-55 to the Bloodhounds.

John Jay got off to a hot start as they led 16-4 early in the first half, but Maritime was able to settle in and they ran seven straight points to cut the advantage to 16-11. However, the Bloodhounds responded with a big run of their own and they never let the Privateers bring the lead back to single digits in the half. Despite an impressive 12-point first half from Brendan McGovern (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist), Maritime entered the locker room trailing by 15 points.

In the second half, Jaylin Gray (Brooklyn, NY/Nazareth) provided a big boost as he helped the Privateers cut the lead to 10 points after back-to-back free throws and a jumper in the paint. Less than a minute later, Alec Downes (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) drained two free throws to make the Bloodhounds lead just eight points, the smallest since the first half. With seven minutes remaining, Evan Sirakis (Oakland Gardens, NY/St. Francis Prep) drained two, three-point shots to cut the advantage to seven points. Unfortunately, that was the closest Maritime would get and John Jay was able to pull away late for the win.

McGovern and Sirakis led the offensive effort with 15 points each, and a combined 8-18 shooting from behind the arc. Gray also chipped in a double-digit performance with 12 points and a team-high two steals. Nicholas Ovanessian (Bayside, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) picked up a team-high six rebounds in the loss. The Privateers fall to 1-4 on the season, while the Bloodhounds improve to 1-1.

Maritime will return to Riesenberg Hall on Saturday at 1 p.m. to take on SUNY New Paltz.