KINGS POINT, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College men's basketball continued a three-game road trip Wednesday evening, squaring off against the United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners (4-7) in a non-conference affair. Taking their first-half punch, the Cardinals controlled the second half, outscoring the Mariners by 15 on the way to an 82-75 victory inside James W. Liebertz Gymnasium.

"All season we have been struggling with taken all teams punches. Today we didn't fold. We fought and continued to fight. The defensive energy was emphasized all week. They bought in and saw it lead to easy points."-said head coach Clarence Emengo

How it Happened

• USMMA took a commanding 24-7 lead early on after Caleb Hutchins canned a triple at the 11:58 mark of the first half.
• The Cardinals responded with an extended 11-3 run to cut the deficit to nine (27-18).
• York continued to push in the final minutes as Abdul Seck's layup with 5:43 remaining got the Cardinals within six (31-25).
• Trading baskets, Tafari Jerome's jumper just before the buzzer pulled York within eight to make it a 41-33 game at the break. 
• Coming out blazing in the second half, the Cardinals went on a 13-5 burst to level the game at 46 just 3:01 in.
• Trailing 55-51, USMMA went on a mini 6-0 run to retake the lead at 57-55.
• York responded with an 8-0 charge capped off by a 3-pointer from Aidony Nivar to take a 64-57 advantage with 9:49 remaining.
• Leading 64-62, the Cardinals went on a 14-0 scoring spree to take a 16-point (78-62) edge at the 3:28 mark.
• Attempting a furious comeback, the Mariners made it a one possession game (78-75) after a triple from Bryce Bristow with 45 seconds showing on the clock.
• Demonstrating poise, Nivar hit Micaiah Goosby for a layup with 15 seconds remaining to give York an 80-75 lead. 
• Olawale Kila's two freebies closed the scoring to seal York's triumph.

Leading the Cardinals

• Kila sparked the Cardinals with 19 points (7-of-13 FG, 5-of-6 FT) and added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
• Goosby contributed 17 points (7-of-13 FG, 3-of-3 3FG) and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.
• Nivar chipped in with 14 points (5-of-11 FG, 4-of-7 3FG) and a team-high two blocks.
• Jerome netted 11 points (4-of-10 FG), hauled in five rebounds, and distributed three dimes.
• Abdul Seck recorded a team-leading three steals off the bench.   

For USMMA

• Zalescik produced game-highs of 23 points (9-of-15 FG, 3-of-5 3FG) and 12 rebounds.
• Bairstow added 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
• Jake Hatch totaled 14 points (6-of-10 FG, 2-of-5 3FG) and four rebounds.
• Isaac Vencel distributed a team-leading seven assists. 

Inside the Box Score
The Cardinals connected on 47.7 percent (31-of-65) from the field, 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from 3-point territory and 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the free-throw line. USMMA shot 46.7 percent (28-of-60) from the floor, 39.1 percent (9-of-23) from beyond the arc, and 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from the stripe. 

York scored 27 points after pressuring the Mariners into 17 turnovers. The Cardinals also owned the edge in bench scoring (17-16).  USMMA outplayed York in rebounds (38-35), assists (19-14), blocks (6-4), and steals (10-8). Utilizing their size advantage, the Mariners outscored the Cardinals 34-24 in the paint. 

Up Next 
The Cardinals (2-7) travel Friday (Dec. 15) to Danbury, Connecticut to take on the Western Connecticut State University Wolves (8-1) at 5 p.m. inside William A. O'Neill Athletic Center. Tune in with live stats and video by visiting yorkathletics.com/live.

For the latest news on the Cardinals, log on to www.yorkathletics.com – the official site of York College athletics. Also, become a follower of the Cardinals on Instagram (@yorkcardinals), X formerly known as Twitter (@yorkcardinals) and YouTube (@yorkathletics), and "LIKE" Us on Facebook (York Athletics).