United States Merchant Marine Academy

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Nov. 11, 2026) – Freshman Kaden Hauber (Galena, Ill.) knocked down a thrilling buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team to a dramatic 70-69 road victory over Centenary University in its season opener on Wednesday night. The Mariners begin the 2026-27 campaign with a 1-0 record, while the Cyclones fall to 1-2.
 
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Leading the way for Merchant Marine was junior Tim Barton (Waldorf, Md.), who recorded a double-double with game-highs of 17 points and 13 rebounds, while also collecting three steals. Hauber finished with 12 points, connecting on three three-pointers, including the game-winner, while sophomore Jack Flannery (McKinney, Texas) also scored 12 points and dished out a team-high four assists.
 
Freshman Clinton Ezugha (Henderson, Nev.) contributed eight points and five rebounds, while freshman Cason Harden (Doerun, Ga.) added seven points. Junior Aaron Zalescik (Lambertville, N.J.) chipped in six points and eight rebounds, and sophomore Noah Brown (Hedgesville, W.Va.) knocked down two triples for six points. The Mariners connected on 12-of-26 three-point attempts (46.2%) compared to just 7-of-21 (33.3%) for Centenary, despite the Cyclones holding a slight 44-41 edge in rebounds.
 
After falling behind 9-5 in the opening minutes, the Mariners used an 18-4 run to build a 23-13 advantage following Hauber's second three-pointer of the night with 9:03 remaining in the first half. Merchant Marine maintained its lead for the remainder of the period, but Centenary scored the final four points before the break to trim the Mariners' advantage to 36-34 at halftime.
 
The Cyclones came out firing in the second half, outscoring Merchant Marine 19-1 over the opening four minutes to take their largest lead of the night, 53-37, with 16 minutes remaining. The Mariners responded with 10 unanswered points, highlighted by consecutive three-pointers from Barton and Flannery, to cut the deficit to 53-47 less than two minutes later.
 
After Centenary extended its lead back to eight, 55-47, the Mariners rattled off seven straight points to pull within one, 55-54, with 9:06 remaining. The Cyclones answered with seven consecutive points of their own to regain a 62-54 advantage, but Merchant Marine continued to battle, using three-pointers from Brown and Ezugha and a Barton layup to make it a three-point game, 65-62, with 3:43 left.
 
Centenary eventually pushed its lead back to seven, 69-62, with just 1:03 remaining, setting the stage for the Mariners' improbable finish. Barton buried a three-pointer with 53 seconds left and came up with two crucial steals in the closing moments. Hauber then found Flannery for a layup with 10 seconds remaining to make it 69-67. After Centenary missed a free throw with six seconds left, Hauber secured the defensive rebound, raced up the court and drained a three-pointer as time expired to complete the stunning comeback and give Merchant Marine the one-point victory.
 
For Centenary, Kenneth Rankin led the way with 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Naire Preston added 13 points. Noah Hutchinson finished with 12 points, Kenney Maira contributed 11, and Jasir Lane pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
Up Next: The Mariners return to action next Wednesday, Nov. 18, when they welcome Lehman College to Liebertz Gymnasium for their home opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the USMMA women's team.
 
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