Hot Shooting Help USMMA Capture Key Landmark Win

KINGS POINT, N.Y. - Junior guard Pat Grace recorded 17 points and four rebounds to lead the United States Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team to an 87-68 win over Susquehanna University on Saturday night. USMMA was able to shoot 59.3 percent from the field along with 46.2 percent from behind the arc and 91.7 percent from the foul line.    

USMMA improved to 11-12 overall and 6-6 in Landmark Conference play while Susquehanna fell to 12-10 and 9-3 in Landmark Conference play.  

"We had our backs against the wall," said Head Coach John Krikorian. "I was pleased with our effort on the offensive end. When we needed to get stops, we did. We are going to need to continue to depend on our defense and rebound the ball, which in my opinion was the key to the game when we outrebounded them in the second half. That allowed us to get out in transition and play at our tempo which is important."     

Freshman forward Tom Izzo helped out the Mariners with 11 points and four rebounds. Sophomore guard Ryan Samuel added seven points, eight assists and five rebounds. Leading the way for the Susquehanna was Kevin Cuff with 18 points and three rebounds. Brad Okonak pitched in 17 points and two assists.   T

he Mariners got on the board first when Max Paul set in a layup. The Crusaders answered back with a layup by Bryan Majors to knot the score at 2-2. The Mariners went up 5-2 on a Grace three-pointer. However, Susquehanna answered right back with a three-point field goal by Cuff. The Crusaders took a 9-7 lead with a layup by Hunter McKain. With 10:41 left, USMMA regained the lead, 15-14, on a layup by Quincy Doffeny. The Mariners were able to increase their advantage to 37-28 with 3:18 left, but a three-pointer by Okonak with nine seconds remaining cut the Mariners lead to just 41-38 at the half.     

Leading the Mariners was Matt Oaks in the first 20 minutes with seven points and four of his season-high seven rebounds. Susquehanna was led by Okonak with 11 points.  

In the second half, USMMA struck first when Samuel hit a jumper in the lane to increase the gap to 43-38. After both teams exchanged baskets, USMMA came out with a 47-44 lead with 17:59 left. The closest that the Crusaders were able to get the rest of the game was 11 points with 12:21 remaining. With 2:33 left, the Mariners had increased their lead to 85-64 and would hold onto their advantage for the 87-68 win over Susquehanna University.     

Leading the Mariners was Samuel in the second half with seven points, six assists and three rebounds. Susquehanna was led by Cuff with nine points and three rebounds.     

The Mariners return to action on Sunday when they take on Juniata at the James Liebertz Gymnasium.  

"We have a heck of a team in Juniata coming in here tomorrow," said Krikorian. "We are going to prepare to do our best against them and perform a little better than we did tonight."