ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking one-point decision Thursday afternoon (Dec. 19). A late rally came up short for St. Mary's College (6-5, 3-1 UEC) as the Seahawks fell 70-69 to Bryn Athyn College (5-6, 3-1 UEC) for their first United East Conference loss of the season.
 
How It Happened

• Today's game was a battle from start to finish, featuring five lead changes and three tied scores.
• Neither team established a double-digit lead at any point with Bryn Athyn putting up the game's biggest advantage – an eight-point margin at 3:32 and 2:32 of the first half and again at 2:52 of the second half.
• After first-year guard Tjay Beckles (Baltimore, Md./Overlea) returned SMCM to a four-point lead for the fifth time, the Lions turned the momentum in their favor, mounting a 14-2 run over a four-minute span to stake a 31-23 lead with 2:32 left in the half.
• St. Mary's College responded with a 5-1 push to cut its deficit in half and head into halftime down 32-28.
• A dunk by first-year forward Yassine Idrissa (Rockville, Md./Wootton) capped a 16-8 start to the second half by the Seahawks, giving them a 44-40 lead at 11:08.
• Bryn Athyn put together a run of its own, outscoring the hosts, 21-9 over the next eight minutes to reclaim a 61-53 advantage with 2:52 left in the game as six different Lions scored.
• SMCM continued to battle and pulled within 70-69 with five ticks on the clock as junior guard Jaden Walker (York, Pa./West York) drained a three-pointer.
• Sophomore guard Kyree Smith (Baltimore, Md./City) forced a Bryn Athyn turnover on the ensuing inbound play and put up a jumper for the win, but the shot was off the mark as time expired.

 
Inside the Box Score

• St. Mary's College connected on a season-best nine three-pointers for the second time this season for a season-high .450-three-point field goal percentage.
• The Lions won the rebounding battle, posting a 36-31 margin.
• Bryn Athyn made the most of its trips to the free throw line, going 18-of-22, while the Seahawks only made half of their 20 free throw attempts.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• All five SMCM starters scored in double digits today.
• Idrissa finished the game with a game-best 15 points while Beckles contributed 14 points.
• Sophomore guard James Lerner (Herndon, Va./Maret) added 13 points while senior captain Jake Koverman (Severna Park, Md./Southern) and Smith each tallied 11 points.
• Koverman also grabbed a game-best eight boards and blocked a career-high three shots.

 
Bryn Athyn Game Notes

• Will Little paced the Lions with 14 points while Isaac Marshall and Keith Bullock, Jr. chipped in 13 points each.
• Today's win was the third in a row for Bryn Athyn and the first over the Seahawks in two tries.

 
Up Next for the Seahawks

• Dec. 29 vs. Hunter (2-7) – Willimantic, Conn. (Geissler Gymnasium) – 5 pm
• Dec. 30 – Eastern Connecticut State Holiday Invitational Consolation/Championship – 12 pm/2 pm

 
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