CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Sophomore guard Kyree Smith (Baltimore, Md./City) dropped a game-best 20 points as the St. Mary's College of Maryland men's basketball team returned to United East Conference play Saturday afternoon (Jan. 4). St. Mary's College (7-7, 3-2 UEC) came up short in a 78-74 road loss to Wilson College (5-8, 3-1 UEC).
 
How It Happened

• The Seahawks jumped out on top first, establishing a 12-4 lead in the first three minutes as first-year guard Tjay Beckles (Baltimore, Md./Overlea) led the way with five points.
• SMCM was in the driver's seat for the majority of the first half and led by seven (25-18) at 5:57 following a three-pointer by first-year guard James Crimaudo (Riva, Md./South River).
• Wilson stayed on the visitors' heels but a second three-pointer by sophomore guard James Lerner (Herndon, Va./Maret) gave St. Mary's College a 33-27 advantage with 3:09 left in the half.
• Momentum shifted in the final minutes of the half as the Phoenix closed out the half on a 9-0 run. Gary Robertson tied the game at 33-33 all and a Tobias Reese three-pointer at 1:02 sent the hosts into the break with a three-point lead.
• Wilson grew its lead to 12 twice within the first eight minutes of the second half, including a 57-45 margin at 12:14.
• The Seahawks responded with a 15-4 run sparked by back-to-back Lerner three-pointers to close the gap to 61-60 at 8:45. SMCM never reclaimed a lead but pulled within one (71-70) once again at 4:04 on a dunk by first-year forward Yassine Idrissa (Rockville, Md./Wootton).
• Jalen Pierce and Jordan McKenzie (4 pts) combined for the Phoenix's final seven points to seal the win.

 
Inside the Box Score

• St. Mary's College drained a season-best 10 three-pointers with Lerner connecting on a Seahawk- and game-best four.
• Wilson outscored SMCM, 40-32, in the paint while 25 of the Phoenix's 78 points came off 19 turnovers by St. Mary's College.
• The Seahawks finished the game shooting 50-percent (28-of-56), including 50-percent (10-of-20) from downtown.
• The Phoenix posted a .475-field goal percentage (29-of-61) while making 16 of 18 free throws (88.9%).

 
St. Mary's College Game Notes

• Smith led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting while adding seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
• Junior captain Jake Koverman (Severna Park, Md./Southern) contributed 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers, while grabbing a season- and game-best eight boards and notching two blocks.
• Lerner finished the game with 12 points as he went 4-of-6 from behind the three-point arc. He dished out four assists as well.

 
Wilson Game Notes

• McKenzie ended the game as Wilson's leading scorer with 18 points while Pierce tallied 17. The duo each hauled in six caroms.
• Robertson contributed a dozen points and four assists while Reese chipped in 10 points and five boards.

 
Up Next for the Seahawks

• Jan. 8 vs. Rosemont (3-9, 2-2 UEC) – St. Mary's City, Md. (MPOARC Arena) – 7 pm
• Jan. 11 at Penn State Berks (3-8, 2-2 UEC) – Reading, Pa. (Beaver Athletics and Wellness Center) – 3:30 pm

 
Facebook: StMarysAthletics | Instagram: @smcseahawks, @seahawksmbb
Twitter: @smcseahawks, @SMCM_MBB | Hashtags: #GoSeahawks, #SeahawkPROUD