ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s basketball team kicked off their 2024-25 season with a closely contested home game on Friday night (Nov. 8), ultimately succumbing to an 87-78 defeat at the hands of Goucher College. Despite a balanced offensive effort that saw all five starters reach double figures, the Seahawks were unable to secure the win in their non-conference season debut.
How the Game Unfolded
The first half featured a competitive back-and-forth battle marked by 11 lead changes and four tied scores. The Seahawks found themselves trailing 15-14 at the 13:01 mark before responding with a commanding 14-1 run over four minutes, highlighted by five consecutive points from junior captain Jake Koverman (Severna Park, Md./Southern), pushing St. Mary’s to their largest lead of the night.
Goucher, however, rallied before halftime, outscoring the Seahawks 21-8 in the closing minutes to take a slim 37-36 advantage into the break. Jacob Morgan and Liech Kong spearheaded the Gophers’ surge with seven points each, including a key three-pointer from both players.
In the second half, Goucher extended their lead to six points early, but St. Mary’s College remained resilient. Koverman’s three-pointer at 11:19 put the Seahawks ahead 55-54, igniting hopes for a comeback. First-year forward Yassine Idrissa (Rockville, Md./Wootton) added a pair of free throws to give SMCM their final lead at 61-60 with 7:37 left. However, the Gophers closed the game on a decisive 27-17 run to seal their season-opening victory.
Key Game Statistics
Both teams showcased strong inside play, each tallying 17 points off turnovers and 38 points in the paint. Goucher narrowly won the rebounding battle with a 36-33 edge and displayed impressive shooting efficiency, finishing with a 52.6% field goal percentage and converting half of their 14 three-point attempts.
Standout Performances for St. Mary’s College
Sophomore guard James Lerner (Herndon, Va./Maret) led the Seahawks with a career-high 19 points, connecting on 5-of-6 field goals, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Idrissa made an impactful collegiate debut, achieving a double-double with 10 points and a game-best 10 rebounds, along with four assists. Koverman contributed 17 points and six boards, while sophomore guard Ree Smith (Baltimore, Md./City College HS) added 13 points. First-year guard Tjay Beckles (Baltimore, Md./Overlea) also impressed in his debut, scoring 10 points.
Goucher’s Top Performers
Jacob Morgan led all scorers with 22 points for Goucher, while Liech Kong and Jaden Workman each posted 19 points. Kong also recorded a team-high eight rebounds, solidifying the Gophers’ presence on both ends of the court.
What’s Next for the Seahawks
St. Mary’s College will look to bounce back on Tuesday, Nov. 12, when they travel to Salisbury, Md., to face off against Salisbury University (0-1) at the Maggs Physical Activities Center. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
