ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – The St. Mary's College of Maryland men's basketball team neared the century mark Saturday afternoon (Feb. 3) with a season-high 96 points on Senior Day. St. Mary's College (12-10, 7-2 UEC) blew past Penn State Berks (3-17, 2-8 UEC), 96-70, in sweeping the United East Conference series.
 
Prior to the start of the game, the Seahawks honored seniors Gary Grant (Washington, D.C./Thomas Stone [Md.]) and Hollique Johnson (Glen Burnie, Md./Old Mill) for their years of dedication and leadership. Fifth-year captain Daryn Alexander (Twinbrook, Md./Richard Montgomery) was also recognized with his framed jersey.
 
How It Happened

• SMCM flew out to an 18-3 advantage behind a combined 12 points from Johnson (7) and Alexander while the Seahawk defense held Berks to just one field goal made in the first seven minutes.
• St. Mary's College grew its advantage to 22 with 7:39 to go in the half as first-year guard James Lerner (Herndon, Va./Maret) drained a three-pointer off a Grant dish.
• The Nittany Lions chipped away at their deficit with a quick 13-3 spurt to close the gap to 41-29 at 3:08. Marquis Ferreira paced Berks in the run with six points.
• Alexander and first-year guard Kyree Smith (Baltimore, Md./City) combined for the Seahawks' final eight points of the half to stake a 49-32 advantage at the break.
• Berks roared back in the second half, using a 20-8 run to pull within five (57-52) at 14:51. Andre Ballard and Luke Collins joined forces for 11 points while the Nittany Lions connected on four long-range shots.
• SMCM responded with a 9-0 run as the hosts went 6-for-6 at the free throw line, stretching the lead back to double digits (65-52) at 12:22.
• Jaedon Mast snapped a four-minute scoring drought for Berks with a layup at 11:40 but St. Mary's College finished the game by outscoring the Nittany Lions, 31-16.

 
Inside the Box Score

• The Seahawks notched a +20-rebounding margin as the team hauled in a season second-best 55 boards.
• Twenty (20) of SMCM's 34 made field goals were assisted as St. Mary's College finished the game with a season second-best 20 dimes.
• The Seahawks dominated inside of the key, posting a 44-18 scoring margin in the paint, while tallying a 22-7 edge in fast break points.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Alexander finished as the game's leading scorer with 21 points while grabbing 10 boards for his second double-double of the season. He also handed out five assists and collected two steals.
• Grant contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and a season-best two assists while sophomore forward Jake Koverman (Severna Park, Md./Southern) added 11 points.
• Sophomore guard Micah Henry (Laurel, Md./Hammond) chipped in 10 points and four helpers while Johnson pulled down a game-best 12 caroms and notched nine points.

 
Penn State Berks Game Notes

• Collins came off the bench to lead the Nittany Lions with 17 points while Ferreira ended the game with 16 and Ballard cleaned the glass for Berks with 16 boards.

 
Up Next for the Seahawks

• Feb. 7 vs. Gallaudet (2-19, 1-7 UEC) – St. Mary's City, Md. (MPOARC Arena) – 5 pm (Black History Month Celebration)
• Feb. 10 at Penn State Harrisburg (19-3, 9-0 UEC) – Middletown, Pa. – 1 pm

 
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