READING, Pa. – All five starters scored in double digits, including a trio recording double-doubles, as the St. Mary's College of Maryland men's basketball team claimed their second straight win Saturday afternoon (Jan. 11). St. Mary's College (9-7, 5-2 UEC) outlasted Penn State Berks (4-9, 3-3 UEC), 86-79, for its fifth United East Conference triumph.
How It Happened
- The back-and-forth game featured six lead changes and six tied scores.
- Berks topped the Seahawks at halftime, 35-34, as the Lions outscored the visitors, 16-13, over the final seven minutes of the half to flip a 21-19 SMCM lead.
- The hosts doubled up St. Mary's College, 8-4, in the first four minutes of the second half to stake a 43-38 at 16:15. Berks held on to the lead for another three minutes before the Seahawks reclaimed the advantage for good.
- SMCM used a 13-2 run to turn around a two-point deficit into its biggest lead of the game, 61-52, at 9:34. Sophomore guard Kyree Smith (Baltimore, Md./City) led the way with six points while junior captain Jake Koverman (Severna Park, Md./Southern) added five.
- Andre Ballard knotted the game at 72-all with a steal and bucket with 2:50 left in the game; however, St. Mary's College closed out the game on a 14-7 run as the Seahawks made 10-of-10 free throws down the stretch.
Inside the Box Score
- SMCM cleaned up the glass well, posting a 45-26 rebounding margin as three Seahawks pulled down double-digit boards.
- St. Mary's College controlled the paint, outscoring the Lions, 46-28.
- The Seahawks shot 53.8-percent for the game while connecting on 25-of-28 free throws.
- Berks capitalized on SMCM's 24 turnovers, earning 36 points off those miscues.
St. Mary's College Game Notes
- Koverman finished the game with 18 points and a game- and season-best 15 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. He also dished out two assists.
- Lerner, Smith, and first-years Tjay Beckles (Baltimore, Md./Overlea) and Yassine Idrissa (Rockville, Md./Wootton) each tallied 16 points in the win.
- Idrissa hauled in 12 caroms to go along with 16 points to record his fifth double-double of the season. He was a perfect 10-for-10 at the charity stripe and notched four blocks.
- Smith also grabbed 10 boards to pair with his 16 points for his first double-double of the season while adding four assists and three steals.
Penn State Berks Game Notes
- Ballard was the Lions' leading scorer with a game-best 19 points as St. Mary's College snapped Berks' four-game win streak.
Up Next for the Seahawks
- Jan. 18 vs. Lancaster Bible (9-6, 4-2 UEC) – St. Mary's City, Md. (MPOARC Arena) – 3 pm (Gold Rush)
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