Purchase, NY (Feb. 10, 2016) – The United States Merchant Marine Academy defeated the Panthers 78-53 in non-conference action Wednesday night at Purchase.

In the process, the Mariners improved to 9-11 overall, dropping Purchase to 1-20.  

Despite the final score, the matchup was close for the better part of the first 30 minutes, until USMMA put together a strong showing late in the third that carried into the fourth and sealed the victory. 

The third quarter proved to be the difference in the game. The visitors, who led by only three at the break, held a 57-40 lead after three.

USMMA outscored Purchase 16-3 in the third, highlighted by the play of key reserves Sarah Milafsky and Rachel Wehlburg, who scored six points apiece in the period.

The Mariners closed the game with a 22-13 output in the final frame. USMMA outlasted Purchase, winning the second half 38-16.

The first half was a different story.   

In the second quarter, the visitors created some distance between the two teams early on, opening a 33-22 margin at 5:07.

However, just under three minutes to go in the half, Kristine Viven (SR/New York, NY) connected on a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 33-26.

Frances Minaya (JR/San Fernando, CA) followed shortly after with another long-range shot to pull Purchase within 33-29.

The Mariners responded with five of the next six points for a 38-30 advantage.  

But a conventional style three-point play by Allison Haugh (JR/New City, NY), with under two minutes, reinvigorated Purchase and made it 38-35, as the Panthers had a run of their own.  

The half closed with another score by USMMA and a pair of made free throws from Elizabeth Osowiecki (SR/Franklin Square, NY) for a 40-37 Mariners lead at the break.

Milafsky scored 12 points in the opening half to help the Mariners out to an early lead. Jenna Wetherington added 10 points and five rebounds in the first half.

For Purchase, Viven scored a game-high 13 over the first two quarters.

It was competitive from the outset. Purchase opened with a 4-0 start. Danielle Holmes (SO/Warwick, NY) and Osowiecki netted back-to-baskets. USMMA countered with five straight points, beginning with a 3-pointer and a two in the paint for a 5-4 lead.

The score would go back-and-forth throughout the opening 10 minutes. Holmes cut the deficit to 8-6 on a pair of made free throws and Kayla Ortiz (SO/Brooklyn, NY) scored consecutive baskets in between a free throw by the Mariners, as the Panthers trailed 11-10 midway through the first.

The visitors increased the lead, but Purchase cut it to 15-14 and closed the quarter down 21-19. Viven and Holmes paced Purchase in the first quarter with six and five points, respectively. 
Milafsky scored six points in the opening quarter to lead USMMA.  

For the game, Milafsky totaled 23 points and eight rebounds. She was one of four Mariners in double figures offensively.

The Panthers had three players in double figures, with Viven and Ortiz leading the way with 15 and 12 points, respectively.  

Purchase returns to action Friday at Hunter.