BRONXVILLE, N.Y. - The Sarah Lawrence men's basketball team fell to the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Tuesday January 3rd by a score of 67-57. The game was much closer than the ten-point spread that showed at the final buzzer as neither team held a commanding lead until the final minutes of the contest. The Gryphons now sit at 1-2 in Skyline play heading into the heart of their conference schedule.

By the Numbers

• Eamon Kelly led the Gryphons with a team-high 16 points and added six rebounds as well
• Lucas Murray was the most impactful interior force for the Gryphons as his 15 points and seven rebounds helped keep the game close early in the secound half
• Chris Dougherty played well defensively, totaling three blocks and a steal while pulling down four rebounds in the losing effort

How it Happened

The first half was a back-and-forth affair that featured multiple lead changes and under one minute of play with a multi-score deficit for either team. After a 6-point lead for the Gryphons was reduced to just one with three-minutes remaining in the first half, the Eagles took the lead once again on a three-pointer by Kody Robinson in what would be just one of his four connections from deep on the evening. After a bit more back-and-forth play, the Eagles would find themselves with a three-point lead after two made free-throws with 34 seconds remaining. 

The second half saw U.S.M.M.A. pull away from Sarah Lawrence and maintain a steady lead. While the Eagles never quite put the game out of reach, they kept a steady single-digit lead over the Gryphons until a dunk with 19 seconds remaining gave a ten-point cushion to close out the contest.

Up Next

The Gryphons (3-9, Skyline 1-2) will remain at home to host Purchase on Saturday January 7th at 2:00 p.m. before traveling to take on Maritime and Saint Joseph's College Long Island next Wednesday and Saturday respectively.