KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Jan. 9, 2026) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's basketball team used a decisive fourth-quarter surge to pull away from Sarah Lawrence and secure a 71–52 victory in Skyline Conference action on Friday night at Liebertz Gymnasium. The Mariners' sixth straight victory improves their record to 11-3 (8-1 Skyline) while the Gryphons drop to 8-5 (5-3 Skyline).
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USMMA had three players score in double figures and two post double-doubles on the evening. Junior Emily Grasseler (Millbrook, N.Y.) entered the contest needing just nine points to reach the 1,000-point mark and led the Blue and Gray offensively, registering a double-double with a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Hannah Ramsden (Port Aransas, Texas) followed with 19 points while knocking down a game-best five three-pointers, and sophomore Carolae Barton (Waldorf, Md.) put up a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 15 boards. Barton also turned away three shots in the contest, also a game-best.
Merchant Marine shot 40.0 percent from the field (28-of-70) and 33.3 percent from three-point range (6-of-18), while holding Sarah Lawrence to 31.7 percent shooting overall and just 7.7 percent in the fourth quarter. The Mariners won the rebounding battle 44–23, scored 28 points in the paint, and forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 23 points. USMMA also finished with a 22–6 advantage in bench points and recorded eight steals on the night.
The opening quarter featured multiple lead changes as both teams traded baskets early. Barton opened the scoring with a jumper at 9:44 to give Merchant Marine a 2–0 lead, but Sarah Lawrence answered with back-to-back baskets to move in front, 5–2. Ramsden buried a three at 2:53 to spark a Mariners run, then added another triple at 2:24 to cut the deficit to one. After a Sarah Lawrence three at 2:03, Ramsden struck again from deep at 1:39, and followed with a fast-break layup at 1:01 to give USMMA a 23–22 edge. Barton added another finish inside with 47 seconds remaining as the Mariners closed the quarter up 25–22.
Sarah Lawrence regained the lead early in the second quarter, going ahead 28–25 at 8:35, but the hosts responded with interior scoring from Grasseler and Sommers. Grasseler tied the game with a layup at 6:07, and after the Gryphons briefly pulled ahead again, USMMA closed the half strong. Grasseler scored at 1:04, and Sommers added a fast-break layup at 0:29 to push the Mariners ahead 38–35, before Sarah Lawrence tied the game at the horn with a three-pointer, sending the teams into halftime knotted at 38–38.
The third quarter remained tight through the opening minutes. Barton opened the half with a layup at 9:28, but Sarah Lawrence answered to tie it at 40. After Barton converted two free throws at 8:27, Sommers finished inside to make it 44–42, but the Gryphons responded again to reclaim the lead, 47–44. Freshman Natalie Doan (Mount Dora, Fla.) hit a jumper at 2:52 to cut it to one, and Grasseler scored on back-to-back possessions at 2:02 and 1:20 to put Merchant Marine back in front. She capped the quarter with a layup at 0:27, giving the Mariners a 52–49 advantage heading into the final period.
Merchant Marine took control in the fourth quarter behind strong defensive pressure and timely shooting. Ramsden opened the scoring with a jumper at 9:36, and Grasseler forced a turnover that led to free throws to extend the margin. After several defensive stops, Ramsden drilled a three at 4:18 to make it 60–49, and following a Sarah Lawrence triple, Barton answered with a layup at 3:49 to restore a double-digit lead. Lodice connected from long range at 3:11, and Ramsden followed with another three at 2:36 to stretch the advantage to 68–52. Grasseler added a layup at 1:44, and Crutcher sealed the scoring at the free-throw line as USMMA closed out the 71–52 victory.
Jade Eng-Stewart led Sarah Lawrence with 19 points, while Gabby Hudson added 13 points and five assists.
The Blue and Gray return to action on Thursday, Jan. 15, when it travels to face Mount St. Mary in Skyline Conference play at 6 p.m.
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