SALISBURY, Md. – Junior captain Jake Koverman (Severna Park, Md./Southern) and sophomore guard Ree Smith (Baltimore, Md./City College HS) combined for 49 points Tuesday night (Nov. 12) as the St. Mary's College of Maryland men's basketball team battled in-state rival, Salisbury University. St. Mary's College (0-2) pulled within two in the final minutes but dropped a 72-66 non-conference decision to the host Sea Gulls (2-1).
 
How It Happened

• The Seahawks stayed tight with SU within the first 10 minutes of the game. First-year forward Yassine Idrissa (Rockville, Md./Wootton) knocked down a three-point jump shot to give SMCM its first and only lead of the game, 16-15 at 9:53.
• Over the next seven minutes, Salisbury used a 15-4 run to claim a 30-20 advantage as the Sea Gulls connected on three shots from behind the three-point arc and Jordan Oates finished with seven points in the run.
• St. Mary's College headed into halftime down six after closing the half on a 6-2 push behind two-point buckets by Smith, Koverman, and sophomore guard James Lerner (Herndon, Va./Maret).
• SU grew its lead back up to double digits as a three-point shot by Tyler Ball handed the hosts a 54-43 margin with 8:54 remaining in the game.
• The Seahawks continued to fight, turning up the heat on defense to force Salisbury into three turnovers and six missed shots. The defensive pressure helped SMCM shave an 11-point deficit down to two (62-60) with 3:09 left in regulation behind a combined 15 points from Smith (8) and Koverman.
• Six straight points by Oates over the next two minutes put the Sea Gulls back in the driver's seat and SU held on for the six-point victory.

 
Inside the Box Score

• St. Mary's College shot an impressive 51.5-percent from the field in the second half to stay in contention, finishing the game shooting 43.8-percent (28-of-64).
• The Seahawks dominated the paint as well, outscoring Salisbury, 46-26.
• SU posted a +10-rebounding margin on the visitors, grabbing 46 boards to SMCM's 36.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Koverman led three Seahawks in double-digit scoring as he dropped a career-high 25 points shooting 11-of-15 with a pair of three-pointers. He also added four rebounds and two blocks.
• Smith finished the evening with a career-best 24 points shooting 11-of-17 and adding six boards, two steals, one assist, and one block.
• Idrissa put up 10 points, eight caroms, two blocks, two assists, and one block to round out the SMCM highlights.

 
Salisbury Game Notes

• Oates collected a double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds while contributing four steals, two assists, and two blocks in the Sea Gulls' second straight win.

 
Up Next for the Seahawks

• Nov. 15 vs. McDaniel (1-0) – Frederick, Md. (Hood College) – 7:30 pm (Battle of DC/Maryland)

 
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