NEW LONDON, Conn. –

The Bears started the Cadet-Mariner Classic weekend off on the right foot with a 86-83 victory over the MCLA Trailblazers. Coast Guard led for nearly the entire game but MCLA was threatening late in the affair.

With the Trailblazer rallying in the final seconds of the game, Luke Farrell(Ortley, NJ) came away with a game saving steal and subsequent made free throw to secure the Bears victory.

The MCLA Trailblazers fell to 0-6 with the loss. They will face Mitchell College in the middle game of the triple-header at the Coast Guard Academy tomorrow.

Despite the close score, the Bears led in most categories: Field goal percentage(43.9% - 39.1%), Three point percentage(36% - 34.2%), free throw percentage(73.1% - 64%), rebounds(45 - 36), points off turnovers(14 - 11), points in the paint(38 - 28), and bench points(43 - 6). 

On offense, Coast Guard was led by senior guards Ben Yagey(Highlands Ranch, CO) and Declan Rooney(Seattle, WA). Yagey had a team high 25 points, also leading the team with nine field goals made. Rooney was shortly behind with 20 points and a team leading four three pointers made. Also in double figures for the Bears was Luke Farrell(Ortley, NJ) with 18 points and Jordan Frazer(Columbia, SC) with 11 points. Farrell also led the Bears in assists with four. 

On defense, forwards Luke Farrell and Cameron Brown(Ellicott City, MD) paced the Bears. Farrell led the way with 10 rebounds with Brown trailing just behind with eight and each man adding a steal and block. 

Coast Guard; now 2-1, will face undefeated Eastern Connecticut tomorrow in game three of the triple header at the Coast Guard Academy at 4:30 PM.