BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) men's basketball team was defeated 65–61 by the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Wednesday night at The Hill Center.

The opening half featured six lead changes and two ties, with neither team holding more than an eight-point advantage. The Bears built its largest lead of the period at 11:52 following a three-pointer, but the Mariners, following a timeout shortly after, answered with interior scoring and transition baskets to pull back within one possession. USMMA closed the half with a pair of baskets in the final two minutes to take a 36–33 lead into the break.

The visitors extended the margin early in the second half, pushing the lead to as many as 12 with 15:17 remaining following consecutive finishes in the paint, 49-37. St. Joseph's responded by generating second-chance opportunities and fast-break scoring, trimming the deficit to three at 6:59 thanks to interior finishes from Jacob Idowu (Weisbaden, Germany). USMMA maintained separation with free-throw shooting down the stretch to secure the four-point result.

Munson led the Bears with 13 points, adding four rebounds and a pair of assists off the bench. Idowu finished with a 10-point 10-rebound double-double. Justin Nazon (Staten Island, N.Y.) finished with nine points and five rebounds while fellow senior Adam Jasaraj (Staten Island, N.Y.) finished with six points and as many rebounds and assists.

The Bears begin cross-division play on Saturday, January 17 at 8:30 pm against Yeshiva University.