MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.  -  The Coast Guard Academy men's basketball team was defeated by Roanoke College this evening, 57-81, closing out their appearance at this season's Cruzin' Classic showcase tournament. Coast Guard went 0-2 at the event, having lost yesterday to Ursinus College.

The Bears moves to 5-5, while Roanoke improves to 7-2. They'll look to pick up another win in their next game on Sunday, December 9th, against Bryn Athyn College (5-6).

Coast Guard had a tough contest ahead of them, facing-off with a Maroons team that received votes in the most recent D3hoops.com Top 25, while Roanoke was looking to build a win-streak after yesterday's 93-73 blowout win over Montclair State.

Slow offensive starts on both ends resulted in the Maroons holding an 8-7 lead when they used their first timeout of the game with 13:21 to play. Roanoke seemed to shake off their rust, going on an 11-0 scoring run to force a Coast Guard timeout with just over ten minutes remaining in the half.

Coast Guard was able to get back on the board but couldn't keep up with the Maroons, who led 38-20 at halftime. Senior guard Declan Rooney (Seattle, Wash.) had eight points (3-7 FG, 1-2 3PT) an assist, and three rebounds at the break; Roanoke senior Joshua McClary (Charlotte, N.C.) had 21 points (8-10 FG, 2-3 3PT), a rebound, and two steals.

The Maroons picked up where they left off and continued their dominance in the second half, while the Bears were unable to cut into the large deficit. McClary was Roanoke's only double-digit scorer, finishing with 25 points (9-12 FG, 3-4 3PT) alongside three rebounds, three assists, a block, and five steals. Rooney finished the game as the only Bear in double-digits, posting 15 points (5-10 FG, 2-4 3PT), two assists, and three rebounds.

Freshman guard Tyler Henderson (Fayetteville, N.C.) was the second-leading scorer with eight points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3PT). Senior big man Cameron Brown (Ellicott City, Md.) pulled down six rebounds, with five on the offensive glass, to lead the Bears alongside two blocks. Junior forward Luke Farrell (Ortley Beach, N.J.) and junior guard Jordan Frazer (Columbia, S.C.) tallied five rebounds each. 

Coast Guard get a long break before returning to action on Wednesday, January 8th. They'll only face NEWMAC teams from that point on, and their first game back takes them to Worcester, Massachusetts to face no. 15 WPI (8-1, 1-1 NEWMAC). The Bears will be looking to pick up their first win against the Engineers since the 2021-22 regular season, which was a 77-55 upset over a no. 17 WPI squad.