Box Score MADISON, N.J. (February 13, 2013) – The Merchant Marine Mariners (12-12, 3-10 Landmark) ended a seven-game losing streak against the Rangers this afternoon with a 66-58 win inside Baldwin Gym. The loss moves the Rangers to 9-15 on the season and 5-8 in the Landmark Conference.

Playing in her final game at home, senior Whitney Mackay (Suffield, Conn./Berkshire) sparked the Rangers on the offensive end, pouring in a team-high 16 points.  She helped the Rangers chip away at a 19-point deficit in the second half, scoring 14 of her 16 in the final 20 minutes. Also playing in her final game in Madison, Becky Smith (Haverhill, Mass/Presentation of Mary Academy) chipped in 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

The duo of Demi VanDerWal and Roshenda Josephs put together some monster numbers for the Mariners. VanDerWall scored 17 of her game-high 29 points in the first half. Around the basket, Josephs pulled down a game-high 20 rebounds and added 15 points. The Mariners were able to outrebound the Rangers 54-45 in the game.

The Mariners closed out the first half with a 17-3 run, giving them a 40-21 lead at the break. The 19-point differential would last all the way to the 9:40 mark in the second half. With the score 50-31, Mackay ignited a 13-3 Drew run, tallying nine of the 13 over a four-minute span. The Rangers cut the Merchant Marine lead down to six after a Jennifer Mateo (Union City, N.J./Union City) three-pointer with 51 seconds remaining in regulation. That proved to be the last basket of game for the Rangers besides a three-pointer by senior Jeramie Barletta (Madison, N.J./Madison) as time expired.

The Mariners took advantage of the untimely scoring drought by going 5-for-8 from the free throw line in the final 36 seconds. For the game the Mariners were 10-19 from the charity stripe compared to a 9-for-18 performance from the Rangers.

Mateo finished the night with nine points and a game-high seven assists. She now has a total of 297 assists which ties her for fifth all-time with Jeannie Petersen C'00. Freshman Courtney Stephens (Pikesville, Md./Gerstell Academy) pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds to go along with six points.

The Rangers will close out their 2012-13 campaign in Huntingdon, Pa. on Saturday afternoon on the campus of Juniata College. The women will tip at 2:00 p.m. and the men will follow at 4:00 p.m.