MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – In a decisive United East Conference (UEC) showdown, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s basketball team faced a tough defeat on the road, falling 73-52 to Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday afternoon. This loss ended the Seahawks’ two-game winning streak and brought their season record to 13-11 (8-3 UEC), while Penn State Harrisburg improved to an impressive 21-3 (11-0 UEC), completing their season sweep against St. Mary’s College.
The game started promisingly for St. Mary’s College, with sophomore forward Jake Koverman giving the Seahawks an early 3-0 lead. However, Harrisburg quickly responded, tying the game and setting the stage for a contest that would see seven tied scores in the early goings. St. Mary’s College briefly led by four points, their largest advantage of the game, following a layup by first-year guard Kyree Smith. Yet, as the first half progressed, Harrisburg found its rhythm, closing the half on a 13-5 run to lead 35-27 at the break.
The second half saw St. Mary’s College struggling to find their shooting form, with their field goal percentage dropping from 36.7% in the first half to 33.3%. Harrisburg, on the other hand, maintained their lead and extended their advantage to a game-high 21 points with just over three minutes left on the clock, demonstrating their dominance on the court.
Despite the loss, St. Mary’s College showcased a commendable free throw performance, posting a season-best 85.7% accuracy (12-14). However, their success from the line was overshadowed by their struggles from the three-point range, where they made only two of 16 attempts. Koverman was a notable performer for the Seahawks, making both three-pointers and leading the team with 13 points and eight rebounds. Senior captain Hollique Johnson also contributed with 12 points, while Smith added nine points along with career-highs of five assists and four steals.
Penn State Harrisburg’s victory was fueled by a balanced attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Donyae Baylor-Carroll led all scorers with 17 points, underscoring the Lions’ offensive prowess. The team’s overall shooting was impressive, with a field goal percentage of 50.9% and a 55.6% success rate in the second half, including making half of their 16 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Seahawks are set to face Penn State Abington next on February 13, seeking to bounce back from this setback. The game is scheduled for 5 pm at the Athletic Building in Reading, Pa., where St. Mary’s College will aim to improve their conference record and regain their winning momentum. As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to solidify their standings within the UEC, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the conference play.
