OLD WESBTURY, N.Y. (Jan. 4, 2025) – A stifling defensive effort that allowed just 14 first-half points helped the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team cruise past Old Westbury, 66-39. USMMA improved to 5-6 (1-1 Skyline), while Old Westbury fell to 5-5 (0-2 Skyline).
 
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• Box Score

Freshman Mason Lavergne (Baton Rouge, La.) went 9-of-18 from the floor, including a 4-of-6 mark from distance, as part of a game-high 23-point effort to lead USMMA. Senior Drew Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.) added 13 points, while classmate Isaac Vencel (Bloomington, Ind.) contributed seven points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Freshman Aaron Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.) also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. The Mariners shot 43.1 percent (25-of-58) from the floor and made 8-of-21 3-pointers (38.1 percent), while posting a +9 margin on the glass (46-37).
 
Amadi Lee-Kane scored a team-high 12 points to lead Old Westbury, which shot just 26.4 percent (14-of-53) from the floor and 10.5 percent (2-of-19) from long range.
 
The Mariners jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after 3-pointers by the elder Zalescik and Lavergne, but the Panthers answered with an 11-2 run that made it an 11-8 ballgame. A layup-and-one by Zalescik leveled the score before a free throw gave Old Westbury its final lead of the game, a 12-11 advantage with 7:07 to play in the half.
 
USMMA then took control with four 3-pointers as part of a 12-0 run that made it 23-12 at the 4:59 mark. After Lavergne made two 3s to start the rally, freshman Colin Hart (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.) added one before Lavergne added yet another. Old Westbury made it a 10-point game before a turn-around jumper by the younger Zalescik and a Lavergne layup helped the Mariners take a 27-14 lead into the break.
 
Old Westbury opened the scoring in the second half with a layup before Drew Zalescik converted a layup-and-one to jumpstart an 11-1 run that gave the Mariners a 38-17 lead at the 14:34 mark. The Panthers scored the next five points, but USMMA followed with a 10-2 run to double-up the home team, 48-24, with 9:09 on the clock.
 
A 3-pointer from senior Talsen Smith (Roseville, Calif.) at the 4:38 mark gave USMMA a 60-30 lead, its largest of the game.
 
The Mariners travel to Throggs Neck, N.Y., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, for a 7 p.m. tipoff.