ROSEMONT, Pa. – Six Seahawks notched double-digit points as the St. Mary's College of Maryland men's basketball team picked up their second straight win Saturday afternoon (Jan. 25). St. Mary's College (11-9, 7-4 UEC) wrapped up the season series sweep of the University of Valley Forge (7-14, 2-8 UEC) with an 85-82 triumph in United East Conference action.
 
How It Happened

• The first half featured four tied scores and two lead changes. The Seahawks owned a 35-28 advantage with 4:38 left in the half following two free throws by sophomore guard Kyree Smith (Baltimore, Md./City). Valley Forge responded with an 11-4 run to knot the game with 1:30 until halftime. First-year guard Tjay Beckles (Baltimore, Md./Overlea) netted the final three points of the half to send SMCM into halftime with a 42-39 edge.
• St. Mary's College never trailed in the second half, but UVF was hard to shake. After the Patriots pulled within 67-66, the Seahawks used an 11-2 run, fueled by six points from Smith, to stake a 10-point margin with 3:29 left in the game. Valley Forge put together one last push, outscoring the visitors, 14-5, to once again close the gap to one (83-82) with three ticks on the clock.
• First-year guard James Crimaudo (Riva, Md./South River) sealed the win for SMCM with two free throws with one second left.

 
Inside the Box Score

• St. Mary's College posted a 35-24 rebounding margin behind a game-best nine rebounds each from Smith and first-year Yassine Idrissa (Rockville, Md./Wootton).
• The Seahawks finished the game shooting 53.1-percent from the field while making 29-of-41 free throws.

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Smith and Idrissa both ended the game with 18 points while Smith dished out a Seahawk-best six assists and Idrissa swatted away a game-high three shots.
• Beckles contributed 14 points and a career-best five rebounds while junior captain Jake Koverman (Severna Park, Md./Southern) added 13 points and a career-best two steals.
• Crimaudo came off the bench to put up 11 points while sophomore guard James Lerner (Herndon, Va./Maret) chipped in 10.

 
Valley Forge Game Notes

• Isaiah Reece led all scorers with 20 points while Christian Renninger had an efficient game with 12 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and five steals. This is the Patriots' third straight loss.

 
Up Next for the Seahawks

• Jan. 28 vs. Notre Dame (Md.) (9-10, 6-4 UEC) – St. Mary's City, Md. (MPOARC Arena) – 7 pm
• Feb. 1 vs. Wilson (8-11, 6-4 UEC) – St. Mary's City, Md. (MPOARC Arena) – 3 pm (Dan Greene/Wayne Cook Memorial Game)

 
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