Gartner's Double-Double Earns USMMA Road Win

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Senior captain Morgan Gartner recorded a double-double with 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting and 10 rebounds to lead the United States Merchant Marine Academy women's basketball team over the Susquehanna Crusaders, 67-59, on Saturday afternoon.  

USMMA improves to 9-5 overall and 2-3 in Landmark Conference play while Susquehanna falls to 9-7 and 2-3 in Landmark Conference play.     

Junior guard Stephanie Waller helped out the Mariners with 13 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Brooke Picillo added 10 points, six steals, five assists and three rebounds. Leading the way for the Susquehanna was Erika Barron with 15 points, four assists and two rebounds. Leigh Henderson pitched in 14 points and one rebound.  

The Mariners got on the board first when Picillo recorded a layup, five seconds into the game. USMMA went on an 8-0 run to start the game until it was ended on a three-pointer by Barron. Courtney Thibeault knocked down another three to narrow the Mariners lead to 8-6. The Mariners were able to hold onto their advantage until 4:05 left in the half, when Barron netted another three-pointer to give the Crusaders a 28-27 lead. Susquehanna was able to keep its lead going into halftime. Waller was able to gain some ground when she knocked down a jumper with nine seconds remaining to make the score 39-35 at the break.   

Leading the Mariners was Gartner in the first 20 minutes with 12 points and three rebounds. Susquehanna was led by Barron with 11 points, two assists and one rebound.  

In the second half, USMMA struck first when Gartner netted two free throws to make the score, 37-39. The Mariners regained the lead, 42-41, with 16:03 remaining when Gartner converted on a three-point play. The Crusaders would take back the advantage for the last time with 8:05 remaining to go up 50-49. The Mariners did not let it last long going up 52-50 two possessions later on a jumper by Waller. USMMA would hold on for a 67-59 victory over Susquehanna University.     

Leading the Mariners was Gartner in the second half with nine points and seven rebounds. Susquehanna was led by Henderson with six points and one rebound.  

"I thought that we did a pretty good job overall," said Head Coach Mike Murray. "We wanted to make them beat us from deep today and unfortunately in the first half they were able to knock down some three-pointers. When we can out in the second half, we made sure that we contested their threes a little better and they happened to miss. I felt we did a pretty good job executing our offense throughout the whole game which put us in a good position to come out with a win at the end. We are happy to be on the road and come out with a win."    

The Mariners return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 22 when they will travel to New Rochelle. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.  

"We are going to look to continue to keep working hard at the defensive end," said Murray about the New Rochelle game. "We are looking to play five people as one and that is our goal. To go out and have five people on the court acting as one unit and if we can do that it should put us in a good position to win on Tuesday."