BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Jan. 24, 2026) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's basketball team posted a dominant performance from start to finish on Saturday afternoon, rolling to an 81–28 victory over St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) at the Hill Center. The Mariners improved to 14–4 overall (11-2 Skyline) while the Bears dropped to 8–10 overall (4–9 Skyline).
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Four Mariners scored in double figures, with two posting 20-point scoring efforts and one recording a double-double. Senior Hannah Ramsden (Port Aransas, Texas) led the offensive attack with a game-high 20 points and four three-pointers while tying for another with four assists. Junior Emily Grasseler (Millbrook, N.Y.) contributed 19 points while freshman Jaden Lodice (Littleton, Colo.) chipped in with 11 points, handed out a game-high four assists, and snagged a game-best four steals. Sophomore Carolae Barton (Waldorf, Md.) posted a double-double with a game-high 10 boards and recorded 10 points.
Merchant Marine shot 51.6 percent from the field (35-of-67) and 70.0 percent from three-point range (7-of-10), while holding St. Joseph's to just 20.4 percent shooting (10-of-49). USMMA also outrebounded the Bears 47–29, scored 36 points off of 27 forced turnovers, and totaled 16 steals in the contest.
The Blue and Gray set the tone immediately, opening the game on a 17–0 run over the first four minutes. Barton opened the scoring with a jumper at 9:45, and Grasseler followed with a finish inside at 8:28. Ramsden connected on a three at 7:52, and sophomore Breanna Sommers (Casa Grande, Ariz.) added another from beyond the arc at 7:04 as the visitors built a 10–2 advantage. Barton converted a tip-in at 4:47, and Grasseler capped the opening quarter with a pair of baskets as the Mariners closed the period ahead 27–9.
Merchant Marine continued to extend the lead in the second quarter. Ramsden knocked down three three-pointers in three minutes, including back-to-back triples at 9:48 and 9:09, pushing the margin to 33–12. Sommers and Barton added finishes in the paint, and Grasseler scored twice late in the half to send the Mariners into the break with a commanding 48–15 lead.
The Mariners maintained control after halftime, opening the third quarter with a 15–0 run. Grasseler scored on a jumper at 9:48, Lodice converted a fast-break layup at 9:15, and Ramsden added consecutive baskets to extend the lead to 56–15. Grasseler knocked down four free throws during the stretch, and USMMA carried a 71–23 advantage into the final period and continued to keep the pedal to the medal en route to an 81-28 victory.
Mercedes Perez led St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Nikki Grech added five points and five rebounds.
Merchant Marine returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 28, when it hosts Farmingdale State in Skyline Conference play at 5 p.m. at Liebertz Gymnasium. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE AND TIME CHANGE FOR THIS GAME.
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