KINGS POINT, N.Y. – In their first matchup of the season with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the Purchase College men's basketball team suffered a 75-43 loss to the host Mariners Thursday evening at the Liebertz Gymnasium.

Senior guard Malcolm Hansford-Whyte (Queens, NY) tied for the game-high with 15 points after connecting on 4-of-7 from the field, including three triples, and netting a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

USMMA's Bryce Bristow tied Hansford-Whyte with 15 points, while also grabbing six rebounds and a trio of steals.

Action opened with five unanswered points from USMMA that turned into a 24-4 advantage midway through the first half.

Merchant Marine led 45-16 at the break, and despite Purchase going on a 9-3 run to open the second stanza, the Mariners continued to advance until the final buzzer.

Up next, Purchase heads to the SUNY College at Old Westbury. The Skyline matchup is slated for this Saturday (Jan. 22) at 11 a.m.