KINGS POINT, N.Y. – For the third consecutive game, the Juniata College men's basketball team shot 47 percent or better from the field.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, the United States Merchant Marine Academy squad they ran into Saturday evening shot even better.

The Mariners shot nearly 53 percent from the field, including an 8-of-15 (.533) rate from three-point range, on their way to a 75-70 Landmark Conference win over the Eagles at Merchant Marine's Liebertz Gym.

Junior guard Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Altoona Area) had the hot hand for the Eagles, as he was 6-of-8 from the floor, including a 3-of-4 mark from beyond the arc, and 8-of-8 at the line on his way to a team-high 23 points.

Jeremy Hays (McMechen, W.Va./John Marshall) came off the bench to tally 12 for the Eagles, while starter Dan Sekulski (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone Area) finished with 11 points and team-highs of six rebounds and six assists.

Much of Merchant Marines's offense was concentrated in the hands of sophomore Reed Buck, who was 12-of-16 from the floor on his way to 33 points. Reserve Josh Beck and starter Michael Farace added 11 and 10 points respectively

After a first half with six ties and eight lead changes, it looked as if Juniata might head into the locker room at the half with a one-point lead after Raymond drained a pair of foul shots with two seconds left in the half. Merchant Marine's Kevin Kerr spoiled that scenario at the buzzer, banking a half-court shot off the backboard for three points, giving the Mariners a 36-34 halftime lead.

After two lead changes and two more ties early in the second half, a 7-0 Mariner run resulted in a 52-45 Merchant Marine lead with 11:27 remaining.

Juniata (14-6, 6-3 Landmark) briefly tied the game at 59-59 on a Kevin Stapleton (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) jumper with 5:46 showing, but a quick 3-pointer by Merchant Marine's Bryan Lynch and a dunk by Reed about a minute after that gave the Mariners a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

The Eagles will return to Landmark Conference action on Friday, Feb. 3, when they travel to Scranton, Pa., to face the University of Scranton. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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