FARMINGDALE, NY – Two years ago, the Maritime College men's basketball team reached the semifinal round of the Skyline Conference Tournament for the first time in more than a decade, only to fall to Farmingdale.  On Thursday night, the Privateers again played in the Skyline semifinals, again facing the Rams, again on the road.  Unfortunately, just like in 2023, top-seeded Farmingdale (18-9) proved too much, as fourth-seeded Maritime (16-11) dropped a 92-49 decision at Nold Hall.

The Privateers came storming out of the gate, scoring the first nine points of the game.  Maritime still held a nine-point advantage, 14-5, when the Rams went on a 9-0 run to tie the score.  After Jake Murphy (Rockville Centre, NY) put the Privateers back in front, 22-20, Farmingdale used a 10-2 rally to open up a 30-24 lead.  The Rams took a 36-30 edge into halftime.

A Jake Devaney (Washingtonville, NY) layup brought Maritime within four early in the second half, but Farmingdale responded with 21 straight points to increase the margin to 57-32.  The Rams outscored the Privateers 56-19 in the second half to pull away for the 92-49 win and a berth in the Skyline Championship Game.

Devaney, the Skyline Rookie of the Year, wrapped up his initial collegiate campaign with a 17-point effort.  Murphy also had 17 points in his final game for Maritime, while Evan Block (Seaford, NY) finished with six points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals.  As a team, the Privateers shot 30.5 percent (18-of-59) from the field, 36 percent (9-of-25) from three-point range, and 50 percent (4-of-8) at the free throw line.

Four Rams scored in double-figures, led by Sean Conroy's 19 points.  Jevon Santos tallied 15 points, four assists and four steals, and Michael Notias contributed 13 points and six assists.  Hamdel Mohammed added 13 points and six assists off the bench, while James Notias pulled down a game-high seven boards.  Farmingdale outrebounded the Privateers 44-29 and shot a combined 58.5 percent (38-of-65) from the floor.  The Rams were 14-for-25 (56 percent) from downtown and 2-for-8 (25 percent) at the charity stripe.

This marked Maritime's second Skyline semifinal appearance in three seasons, and the Privateers hosted a quarterfinal game as the No. 4 seed for the third year in a row.  Maritime also set a program record by beginning Skyline play with nine consecutive wins.  The Privateers finished with a conference mark of 11-5, their third straight year with a winning record in Skyline games.