Riverdale, NY - The Dolphins tried their best in a second half comeback, but fell just shy of victory.
The University of Mount Saint Vincent was on the Sharp Center floor for their third straight contest, this time challenging the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The Mariners got the best of the Dolphins, as they secured a seven point victory by the score of 79-72.
UMSV now sits at 2-13 overall, including 1-5 in Skyline play.
Sophomore wing
Eric Woodberry reached a career high in scoring for the fourth time this season, this time reaching 30 points, including going three of five from beyond the arc. Woodberry also collected six rebounds to go along with three assists and a steal.
Louis Vidal also had a career afternoon with 13 points, eight boards, six assists and three steals.
Alex Chi finished in double figures with 10 points of his own while
Aidan McCahey came off the bench with an eight assist effort.
The game was tightly contested in the early going, with each side trading baskets. Everyone got a piece of the scoring action, with Woodberry, Jack Hayward, Blake Salice-Mitchell and Joel Gado combining for the first eight points. With the game tied at eight, the Mariners would respond with a six point run of their own before seeing their lead reach double figures halfway through the first.
The Dolphins would chip away consistently, with Vidal cutting the lead to 10 on two separate occasions with jumpers. A three pointer from Salice-Mitchell at the buzzer stopped additionally bleeding, making it a 39-28 game in favor of USMMA at the break.
UMSV would regroup in the locker room and come out in a major way offensively. The Dolphins kicked off the second half with a 13-5 run, cutting the deficit to five points.
Chi would impressive with six points over that span, with Woodberry following with four points of his own. The teams would once more trade baskets, but the Dolphins once again made it close. Freshman Tyler Conlee knocked down his lone basket of the game with less than 12 minutes remaining, and his three brought the score to 52-46. McCahey would cut off a Mariners pass and found a streaking Woodberry, whose fast break layup in the following possession made it a four point contest.
The Mariners, however, wouldn't relinquish their edge. They found success both in the paint and at the free throw line and saw their lead reach double figures for a majority of the second half, resulting in the win.
The Dolphins return to the road, this time traveling to Patchogue to take on St. Joseph's Long Island on Wednesday.