Box Score

MADISON, N.J. (Feb. 4, 2015) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team defeated Landmark Conference foe Drew University on the road Wednesday night, 90-88, at the Rangers' Baldwin Gymnasium. The Mariners had to hold off a strong comeback by the hosts late in the second half, but two failed attempts at game-tying baskets in the closing seconds sealed the victory for Merchant Marine, which improves to 6-14 (3-9 Landmark), while Drew falls to 10-11 (5-7 Landmark).

The Mariners got season-best performances from junior David Smith (Lakewood, Wash.) and sophomore Matt Miller (Augusta, Ga.). Smith drained 29 points, while Miller added a career-high 27 points. Juniors Andrew Williams (Lantana, Texas) (12 points) and Scott Dennin (Gilbertsville, Pa.) (11 points) rounded out the Mariners' double-figure scorers.

The Mariners shot a season-best 58.2-percent from the field (32-for-55) and were 9-for-18 from beyond the three-point arch.

Smith started the game off with a three-pointer just 16 seconds in and Miller made a layup at 18:52 to put USMMA ahead, 5-0. The Mariners held the advantage early on, but the Rangers fought back within one point at 13:59 on a pair of free throws by junior Mike Klinger. Despite pulling ahead by eight (18-10 at 11:42), Merchant Marine let Drew right back in again, by allowing eight straight to tie the score up at 9:05.

The Mariners responded by going on a 17-2 run to take their largest lead of the game, 35-20, at 4:16. The Rangers cut their deficit down to single-digits, 40-31, before the halftime break.

USMMA's lead was in double-figures for most of the second half, as the advantage got back up to as much as 15 points, 77-62, at 7:16. With Merchant Marine leading by 13 with, 85-72, with 3:21 to play, the Rangers went on a 16-5 run to come within two points. They had the ball with 22 seconds to play, but two shots by Klinger failed to find the bottom of the basket and the Mariners held on for the victory.

Klinger and junior Kevin Herring II both finished with 24 points, while junior Jason Huelbig recorded 16 points.

Merchant Marine will look ahead to a weekend off of competitions and returns to the court next Tuesday, Feb. 10, for a non-conference game at Stevens Institute. Tip is set for 7 p.m. at the Ducks' Canavan Arena.