In action for the first time since the holiday break, the Vaughn College Warriors dropped a pair of games in the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s Kings Point men’s basketball tournament, which concluded Monday (January 3).

Matched against the host Merchant Marine Academy in the opener on Sunday (January 2), the Warriors fell, 77-50. The Mariners broke out to 12-0 and 29-2 leads before coasting to a 42-14 halftime advantage. Vaughn connected on only 4 of 25 first-half shots (16 percent); however, it did outscore the Merchant Marine Academy 36-35 in the second half.

Jihad Ceaser led Vaughn with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Justin Daughtry and Jason Ramos had nine points apiece.

The loss Sunday dropped the Warriors into Monday’s consolation game, where they lost 70-37 to McDaniel College of Westminster, Md. Sub-par shooting again did in the Warriors, who connected on only 4 of 19 shots (21 percent) in the opening half en route to a 36-15 halftime deficit.

The Warriors finished shooting 9 of 38 (24 percent) from the field and were only 1 of 8 from three-point range. Mahdi Macbahi led Vaughn with 8 points and 7 rebounds.

The Warriors, now 6-8, play the Culinary Institute of America at Elmcor Recreation Center on Sunday, January 9. Tipoff is 2 p.m.