Box Score KINGS POINT, N.Y. (March 30, 2021) – On this last day of March, in what is believed to the be the latest scheduled basketball game in the history of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the Mariners defeated Elms College on the road, 70-58, at the Blazers' Picknelly Arena.
 
With the win, USMMA closes out this unique season with a 3-1 record. The Mariners have also strung together three-straight victories for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Elms falls to 0-1 in their first of four scheduled games in defeat.
 
"I am extremely proud of the way our team battled through adversity tonight, which is what our team has done all season," said fourth-year head coach Rob Pryor. "We had a slow start and did not defend up to our capabilities, but for most of the second half we played KP basketball. We shared the ball on offense and were connected on defense. Ultimately, our seniors James Walsh (Huntington, N.Y.) and Seth Barnes (Chillicothe, Ohio) led us to the win. Our coaching staff sincerely appreciates all the hard work and dedication they have given to our program over the last four years. They will be missed!"
 
Elms started the game on a 6-0 run and held a lead for most of the first half. The Mariners went ahead on a jumper by freshman Bryce Bristow (Plano, Texas) that made it 17-16 and then play was back-and-forth for the remainder of the opening stanza, and Merchant Marine advantage was just two points at the break, 35-33.
 
The Blazers were hot again to start the second half. After the Mariners opened the scoring, the hosts went on an 11-0 run to take a seven point lead, 44-37. The USMMA defense came up strong in the second half, however and that deficit was quickly erased, with the Mariners eventually taking a lead they never relinquished, 49-44 at 9:05, after a 12-0 run.
 
The game did get within two points not too long after, however a 12-3 run gave the Mariners a double-digit lead, which they held until the final buzzer.
 
Final statistics for the game are incomplete, so a full recap will be posted on USMMASports.com when they become available.
 
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