ALFRED, N.Y. (Nov. 10, 2023) – The USMMA men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a 79-73 victory over Alfred State in a neutral-site game at Alfred University on the first night of the Special Tee's Tip-Off Classic on Friday. Five players scored in double figures for the Mariners (1-0), while KP also out-rebounded the Pioneers (0-2), 43-32 over the 40 minutes.
 
Game Link

• Box Score 

Junior Isaac Vencel (Bloomington, Ind.) led Merchant Marine with 17 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists, while classmate Drew Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.) drained 14 points with seven boards and a team-best three steals. Senior Bryce Bristow (Plano, Texas) produced 12 points, classmate Jake Hatch (Austin, Texas) added 12 off the bench on 4-of-6 shooting and sophomore Clark Castleberry (Reston, Va.) nearly recorded a double-double with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
 
Senior DeMarcus Spivey (Ashburn, Va.) contributed seven points and a game-high five assists and sophomore Caleb Hutchins (Buffalo, N.Y.) dropped eight points on near-perfect shooting all-around (2-of-2 from downtown and 2-for-3 from the line).
 
As a team, the Mariners shot at a 50% clip on the night (30-for-60) and held the Pioneers to 44.3% (27-for-61).
 
Alfred State made it a very interesting ending, as they nearly erased a 20-point second-half deficit by coming all the way back within just two points twice in the final 1:20, however the Mariners were able to hold off the comeback for the win.
 
Up next, Merchant Marine will play another neutral-site game on Saturday, Nov. 11, this time against Alfred University at Alfred State. Tipoff against the Saxons is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the ASC's Orvis Gymnasium. Any live links for the game will be posted on the USMMA Men's Basketball Schedule Page prior to tipoff.
 
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