KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Feb. 11, 2025) – The USMMA men's basketball team lost its home Skyline showdown with Old Westbury Tuesday night, 71-65, at the Liebertz Gymnasium. The setback drops the Mariners' record to 8-14 (4-9 Skyline), while the Panthers improve to 9-12 (4-9 Skyline) with the win.
 
Game Link

• Box Score 

Senior Drew Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.) tied the game-high with 21 points as part of a double-double effort as he led all players with 10 rebounds. Classmate Isaac Vencel (Bloomington, Ind.) added 15 points and seven assists, while junior Clark Castleberry (Reston, Va.) contributed 12 points, five boards, four assists and two blocks.
 
Merchant Marine used seven three-pointers in the first half to help build up an 11-point halftime advantage, 39-28. The hosts shot 48.28% (14-for-29) from the field and were 46.67% from beyond the arc (7-of-15).
 
The Mariners' lead hit 12 points early in the second half, 42-30, but Old Westbury quickly responded with a 20-6 run over a nearly seven-minute stretch to take a 50-48 advantage at 10:20.
 
For the next eight-plus minutes, the two teams traded the lead a total of nine times, with neither team gaining an advantage of more than three points. That was until the final two minutes when the Panthers started to pull away after the Mariners failed to connect on a couple of possessions and Old Westbury hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch.

The Panthers held a 40-28 advantage in rebounds on the evening.
 
For OW, Zion Williams tied Zalescik with the game-best 21 points, while also leading the Panthers with eight rebounds. Amadi Lee-Kane scored 19 points and Kellen Leake chipped in with 13 points.
 
The Mariners are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 15, when they play host to Skyline rival SUNY Maritime for their annual 142 Game. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Liebertz Gymnasium.
 
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