The United States Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team got back on track last week with two Skyline Conference wins over Yeshiva and SUNY Old Westbury. The Mariners now stand at 4-5 overall and a perfect 3-0 in Conference action heading into the winter recess. Kings Point will play next at Mt. St. Vincent on Jan. 6.

Kings Point hosted the Yeshiva University Maccabees on Dec. 11 and walked away with a 75-65 win. The Mariners went on a roll towards the end of the first half, outscoring Yeshiva 8-2 to carry a 40-32 edge into the intermission. In the second half, the Blue and Gray exploded on a 17-6 run, increasing the lead to as many as 19 points. The Maccabees were able to close to within 10 but that was as close as they would come.

In the game, Kings Point welcomed back senior Johnny Garrett (Missouri City, TX) to the hardwood. Last year's Skyline Player of the Year and an Honorable Mention All-America, Garrett returns to the Mariners for a fifth season. Garrett played seven games during the 1998-99 campaign prior to leaving campus to fulfill his sea-year obligations. He was granted an extra season of eligibility by the NCAA, with the stipulation that he sit out the first seven games of the 2000-01 campaign. Monday marked Garrett's return to the starting five and he was the Blue and Gray's leading scorer with 17 points. He also had a game-high five steals and three assists.

Junior captain Kevin Bernick (Toms River, NJ) had 16 points and seven assists. Freshman Fred Slanovec (Slate Hill, NY) and sophomore forward Seth Cobb (Powder Springs, GA) each had 10 points. Cobb had the Mariners only double-double with 11 rebounds. Junior captain Nate Barton (Hummelstown, PA) posted a game-high eight assists.

On Thursday night, the Mariners won their second straight with a 99-59 victory over Skyline Conference foe, SUNY Old Westbury in Liebertz Gymnasium. The outcome of the game was never in question as the Mariners jumped ahead 36-6 with 12 minutes gone in the game. The Mariners forced 24 first-half turnovers and held the Panthers to 31.4 percent shooting in the first stanza en route to a 57-23 lead at the intermission.

Garrett again paced Kings Point with 21 points on 10-16 shooting in a mere 22 minutes of play. Freshman Brendan Smith (Smithtown, NY) had a breakout game with 12 points, while Fred Slanovec added 10 points. Bernick added nine points and was the top Blue and Gray rebounder with six boards. Freshman Vince Rogers (Bad Axe, MI) also had nine points.

The women's basketball team dropped their final game before break at York College by a score of 78-40. Kings Point trailed 36-21 at the break but was unable to keep pace with York in the second stanza. The Mariners were led by freshmen Becca Segert (Merritt Island, FL) and Llex Landreth (West Melbourne, FL). Segert was the top scorer in the game with 25 points while Landreth led the team on the boards with 15 caroms. Landreth added 10 points while Segert had eight rebounds. The Blue and Gray will host Rutgers-Newark on Jan. 6 at 2 pm. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy wrestling team improved to 2-3 in dual match competition on Dec. 12 with a 59-0 rout over the Yeshiva University Maccabees. The Mariners won five matches by pin, one by technical fall and four by forfeit. At 125 pounds, junior Dave Coburn (Beloit, WI) pinned Yoni Ellman just 18 seconds into the second period. Sophomore Paul Sallee (James Island, SC) and freshman Ben Darr (Brookville, PA) had pins at 2:45 and 2:27 in their respective weight classes of 157 and 165 pounds. Freshman Chris Springer (Garden Valley, CA) posted a win by technical fall (20-5) at 174 pounds and senior heavyweight Bryan Irish (Bothell, WA) had a pin in 1:53. The quickest pin of the evening was credited to freshman Ed Dipierro (Yardville, NJ) who pinned Eric Katz in just 1:18. On Jan. 6, the Mariners will travel to Hunter for a match.