Riverdale, NY - The University of Mount Saint Vincent played host to the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Tuesday, with the hopes of continuing their success in conference play after defeating Old Westbury over the weekend. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, the Mariners showed why they've been a force in the Skyline all season long, dropping the game by the score of 73-60. 

It was a tough first quarter for the Dolphins, with the Mariners showcasing why they're the current top seed in the conference standings. UMSV went just 2-for-21 from the floor, putting the team in a hole that would prove to be tough to climb out of. To head coach Maria Nardulli and her team's credit, they didn't back down in the start of the second quarter, instead doing their best to turn the tide of the contest. 

Freshman guard Angelina Escobinas made her presence felt, as her full court press caused two 10 second back court violations in USMMA's first three possessions. She was also a force on offense, as her extra passes helped set up teammates Gretta Baker, Kayla Hanley and Michaela Ligon, whose baskets cut the Mariners lead to single digits. 

The Dolphins continued to play physical on the defensive end, with AB Burnett and Nailea Green using their bodies to get in the way of Mariners offense. USMMA, however, reverted back to their first quarter success, eventually getting their lead up to 21 points at the break. 

UMSV picked up their offense in a major way in the second half. The team shot nearly 50% from the floor over the final 20 minutes, including going 7-of-14 in the third period. The Dolphins outscored USMMA 41-33 over that span, as the team surged in the final minutes to come back. Smith herself went on a 12 point surge in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late, as the Dolphins would fall by 14. 

Both Baker and Smith once again impressed, scoring 22 points apiece, the only two players to reach double figures. Hanley added six assists, five points and two boards in the loss while Escobinas led the way with four steals. 

The Dolphins will turn around in 48 hours to continue their conference slate, this time traveling to Brooklyn to take on St. Joseph's University on Thursday.