OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Feb. 10, 2026) - The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team dropped a 74-65 decision to Old Westbury on Tuesday night at the Clark Athletic Center in Skyline Conference action. The Mariners fell to 7-15 overall (4-9 Skyline), while the Panthers improved to 8-15 overall (6-7 Skyline).
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Four Mariners finished the evening in double figures. Freshman Jack Flannery (McKinney, Texas) led the offensive attack with a game-high 26 points and five three-pointers. Classmate Richard Sykes Jr. (Tampa, Fla.) added 13 points, while sophomore Aaron Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.) chipped in 12 points and missed a double-double by one rebound with nine boards in the game. Sophomore Mason Lavergne (Baton Rouge, La.) contributed 11 points and handed out a career-best eight assists.
Merchant Marine shot 24-of-62 (38.7%) from the field and 12-of-29 (41.4%) from three-point range. The Mariners totaled 27 rebounds and 16 assists on the night. The Panthers finished 27-of-58 (46.6%) from the floor and 11-of-22 (50.0%) from beyond the arc, while holding a 40-34 edge on the glass.
USMMA opened the contest with the first six points, as Lavergne converted a tip-in at 19:25 and Flannery followed with a layup at 18:45. Zalescik knocked down a three-pointer at 16:51 to push the lead to 9-2. Old Westbury settled in from there, using a series of finishes in the paint to trim the margin to one, 9-8, at 13:35. After Flannery hit a jumper at 10:59 to make it 15-12, the Panthers responded with an extended run, taking their first lead 16-15 at 9:08, and building separation with three-pointers from Christian Thomas and Jermaine King Jr. late in the half. A Thomas three at 2:32 and another at 2:08 helped Old Westbury stretch the lead to double digits, and the Panthers carried a 36-20 advantage into the break.
Kings Point chipped away after halftime. Flannery hit a three at 19:23, and Sykes Jr. converted inside at 16:59 to cut the deficit to 40-25. Flannery and Zalescik continued to answer Old Westbury baskets, trimming the margin to single digits at 49-40 following a Sykes Jr. layup at 10:17. The visitors kept pressure on late as Flannery connected from deep at 5:17 to make it 61-52, and freshman Talan Dawkins (South Riding, Va.) knocked down a three at 1:47 to pull the Mariners within 10, 70-60. USMMA made one final push in the closing minute, as Sykes Jr. hit a transition three at 0:55 and Zalescik finished inside at 0:27 to make it 72-65, but Old Westbury sealed the game at the free-throw line to close out the 74-65 decision.
Christian Thomas led Old Westbury with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jermaine King Jr. added 17 points and seven assists. Josh Minton chipped in 12 points off the bench.
Merchant Marine returns to the hardwood on Saturday, Feb. 14, against rival SUNY Maritime in Skyline action.
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