Kings Point, NY - The College of Mount Saint Vincent's men's basketball team was looking to continue their strong play as of late when they traveled to the United States Merchant Marine Academy to take on the Mariners. The Dolphins, who defeated Mount Saint Mary College on Thursday, had hopes for their upward trend to continue. 

Over the first eight minutes of the first half, both the Dolphins and Mariners traded baskets, making it a one score game over that duration. From there, USMMA went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes. It was then when David Collins knocked down a driving layup to break up the hot streak, bringing the score to 21-14. 

Unfortunately for the Dolphins, USMMA went on yet another 8-0 run, which was then broken up by a tough layup from Makai Johnson. Despite Qwame Thompson and Kalos Evans combining for five points before time expired, the Mariners continued to excel on their offensive end, with the score being 37-21 going into halftime. 

As a whole, the Dolphins shot just 31% from the floor while knocking down just two of 12 three point attempts in the first half. Evans and Thompson were both tied for the team lead with six points apiece while senior Raiquis Harris had five of his own. Thompson and Vinny Tavella paced the Dolphins with four rebounds each. 

The Dolphins came out strong in the second half, with Harris, Thompson and Tavella combining for eight points to make it a 15 point game with 15 minutes left in regulation. CMSV continued to climb back into the game, with Mamadou Mariko scoring in consecutive possessions and Harris knocking down a three off a pass from Dorian Robinson to put the game at 49-38 Mariners with 12:20 to go. 

Two minutes later, Collins converted a jump shot to finally cut the deficit to single digits at 10:45. Both sides continued to trade baskets until Makai Johnson hit a big pull up three with 3:10 left to put USMMA's lead at six. But that's as far as the Dolphins would get, as clutch shooting down the stretch for the Mariners helped them win by the score of 77-67. 

Harris had yet another efficient contest, shooting 69% from the floor en route to 22 points. Evans was the only other Dolphins to finish in double figures, as he ended his play with 11 points, three rebounds and two assists. Tavella recorded a team-high nine rebounds. 

The Dolphins will look to regroup before taking on Sarah Lawrence College this coming Wednesday at home.