(Posted January 22, 2010)

KING'S POINT, N.Y. - A 19-5 run in the first five minutes of the second half broke the back of the Juniata College men's basketball team as the Merchant Marine Academy went on to a 83-50 victory in the James W. Liebertz Gymnasium, in King's Point, N.Y. Friday night.

The Mariners opened up a 12-point lead heading into the locker room as they turned a 10-9 deficit with 12:48 remaining into a 30-18 halftime lead. That lead early in the first half would be the last lead for the Eagles.

The five-minute spurt by Merchant Marine (13-3, 5-1 Landmark) to open the second half extended its lead to 26 and the Mariners coasted to the finish. The lead grew to as many 35 before settling at the final score.

Leading Juniata (8-9, 3-3 Landmark), was sophomore Matt Regan (Downingtown, Pa./Devon Prep) with eight points in 21 minutes. Sophomores Mike McCarry (Ambler, Pa./Upper Dublin) and Dan Sekulski (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone Area) each chipped in with seven points. Sekulski added four rebounds and an assist in 15 minutes of action.

Sophomore Nate Higgins (St. Mary's, Pa./Elk County Catholic) led the team in rebounds with six. He also added four points on 2-7 shooting.

The Mariners had three players in double figures. Ryan Samuel led all scorers with 16 points, hitting 4-4 from three-point territory. Jon Snead contributed 15 points on 7-12 shooting. Also, Kevin Kerr threw in 10 points in 15 minutes off the bench.

For the game, the Eagles shot 37.3% from the floor, only hitting two three-pointers. Merchant Marine made 47.1% of their shots, while out-rebounding Juniata 42-33.

The Eagles remain on the road as they travel to Landmark Conference foe, Drew University for a 4:00 p.m. start on Saturday.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.