Box Score NEWARK, N.J. (Nov. 18, 2023) – The USMMA men's basketball team took a nine-point lead into the halftime break, but ultimately lost to the Rutgers-Newark Scarlet Raiders, 72-68, on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Mariners fall to 2-2 on the season, while Rutgers-Newark improves to 3-1.
 
Game Link

• Box Score 

The Mariner defense was particularly stout in the first half, holding the Scarlet Raiders to just 29 points on 35% shooting from the field. For USMMA, they shot 48% from the field and got to the free throw line 13 times to open up a lead as large as 11 points, but 38-29 at the end of the first half.
 
But in the second, Rutgers-Newark found their offensive groove. After junior Drew Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.)  hit an and-one layup to put the Mariners up 11, the Scarlet Raiders went on a run of their own to tie the game at 46-46 seven minutes into the second period. Both sides traded buckets throughout the half, but the Raiders held the Mariners at bay through the final six minutes to pick up a 72-68 win.
 
Zalescik was the offensive spark for USMMA with 24 points on a highly efficient 9-15 shooting performance. Junior Isaac Vencel (Bloomington, Ind.) turned in a balanced outing with 11 points, eight boards, five assists, and three steals. Senior DeMarcus Spivey (Ashburn, Va.) finished the game with 10 points and five rebounds.
 
Rutgers-Newark got 22 points and 8 rebounds from Levi Holton, 13 points from Jamir Patterson, and 10 more from Travis Miles. In the second half, the Scarlet Raiders shot 50% from the floor, including a red-hot 44% from beyond the arc.
 
USMMA is back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 21, for a road tilt against SUNY Delhi that begins at 7 p.m. Live stats and a live video steam of the game will be available with links on the USMMA Men's Basketball Schedule Page.