Men’s Basketball Holds of USMMA

Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's basketball team picked up its second win in its last three games when it defeated the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 58-51, in a Skyline Conference contest inside the Danzi Center on Thursday evening.

With the win, the Golden Eagles improve to 4-9 overall on the year and 3-6 in Skyline play as the Mariners slip to 3-8 (1-6 Skyline).

Junior Frank Basile led all players with 20 points and grabbed a team-best seven rebounds. Senior Mike Harris contributed 16 points and dished out a team-high three assists.

Junior Brad Weiss went for 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field and was credited with a game-best three blocks.

The Mariners were paced by David Washington, who scored 14 points on 7-for-11 shooting and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

A back and forth first half yielded a 25-25 tie at the break but it was the Golden Eagles who who took control in the second half. Tied at 30 2:36 into the period, a Basile three-pointer put SJC ahead (33-30) and kicked off a 14-7 run that saw the hosts go up 44-37 with 8:37 to play in regulation.

USMMA brought the game back to within one point (47-46) with under six minutes on the clock, but the Golden Eagles scored 11 of the contest's final 17 points and earned the 58-51 victory.

SJC led USMMA in most statistical categories, including field goal percentage (44.4% to 31.3%), three-point field goal percentage (33.3% to 24.1%) and total rebounds (35-33).

In a game that featured 12 lead changes and eight ties, SJC's biggest lead of seven points came with 8:37 to play in the second half.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday, January 12 when they host Farmingdale State for a Skyline Conference contest at 3:00 pm.