Men’s Basketball Edged by USMMA at Home

Patchogue, NY| Despite holding a late-game lead, the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's basketball team dropped a 67-64 Skyline Conference decision to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy inside the Danzi Athletic Center on Wednesday evening.

The loss sends the Golden Eagles to 5-9 overall and 0-6 in Skyline play as the Mariners improve to 7-9 and 3-4.

SJC's Frank Basile scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down a team-best eight rebounds. The senior was also credited with a game-high three steals. 

Senior Doug Niblock contributed 12 points, a game-high seven assists and five rebounds, and sophomore Michael Darby shot 5-for-11 and went for 13 points and five rebounds. 

Senior Brad Weiss was a 4-for-9 shooter from the field and scored nine points in 22 minutes. The forward pulled down six rebounds and was credited with a game-best three blocks. 

USMMA was led by James Walsh, who scored 14 points on 4-for-6 shooting.

The Mariners set the tone in the first half and went on to take a 31-28 lead into the break. SJC chipped away at the guests' lead in the second frame and took a 47-45 lead with 9:58 to play when Darby drained a three-pointer.

St. Joseph's pulled ahead 57-51 three and a half minutes later, but a 12-3 run by the Mariners saw them go up 63-60 with under 1:30 to play in regulation. Twice SJC brought the game back to within one point (63-62 and 65-64), but USMMA converted on late-game free throws and held off SJC for a 67-64 victory. 

USMMA was the better shooting team from the field (50.0% to 35.5%) and from beyond the arc (42.1% to 30.8%). SJC held statistical advantages in free-throw shooting percentage (80.0% to 73.3%), total assists (14-9) and second-chance points (11-5).

The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday, January 25 when they visit SUNY Maritime for a Skyline Conference contest at 1:00 pm.