THROGGS NECK, NY - The Maritime College men's basketball team put together a strong second half against Sarah Lawrence, but they fell short and the Gryphons pulled away for a 13-point win, 91-78.

Sarah Lawrence jumped ahead early with an 11-4 lead, but then five straight points from Sean Flynn (Flushing, NY/Holy Cross) put the Privateers right back in the game. Later in the half, Alec Downes (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) and Jaylin Gray (Brooklyn, NY/Nazareth) teamed up for a three-point shot and a fastbreak layup to bring the score within one point at 21-20 with seven minutes left in the first half.

The Gryphons went on to take a commanding 17-point lead in the half with a minute remaining, but senior guard Brendan McGovern (Seaford, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) stepped and drained back-to-back threes, including an and-one with a second remaining to make it a 10-point game heading into the locker room. McGovern finished the first half with 11 points, while Sarah Lawrence had two players in double digits at 17 and 13.

McGovern stayed hot to start the second half as he drained his first two shots from behind the arc, and then Brennan Whelan (Northport, N.Y./Northport) knocked down a three of his own to make it a four-point game 47-43 with 18 minutes left to play. On the ensuing possession, a steal from Husene Camara (Bronx, N.Y./Frederick Douglas) led to Downes getting fouled while shooting a three and putting Maritime within two points of tying the game.

Unfortunately, Sarah Lawrence was able to hang onto their lead for the remainder of the half as Maritime couldn't tie the game despite multiple offensive bursts. "We put a lot of energy into that comeback and I'm proud of the effort the team put, but we couldn't come up with the result we needed," said head coach Mike Berkun. "Every conference is going to be tough and we just have regroup and hopefully get the result we're looking for on Thursday."

McGovern led the offense with 20 points, while Whelan chipped in 18 of his own and Gray added 14 off the bench. Whelan also led the Privateers with seven assists and three steals. Maritime will return to Riesenberg Hall on Thursday at 7 p.m. to take on Manhattanville in another Skyline Conference contest.