The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s basketball team claimed their third consecutive victory Tuesday night, opening United East Conference play with an 81-73 road win over Gallaudet University. The Seahawks, now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in the UEC, controlled the game’s tempo in key moments to hand Gallaudet (0-6, 0-1 UEC) their sixth loss of the season.
How It Unfolded
The first half saw St. Mary’s edge ahead in a tightly contested game, with the score at 18-17 midway through the period. First-year forward Yassine Idrissa’s layup ignited a decisive 15-0 run, sending the Seahawks into halftime with a commanding 42-29 lead.
However, the Bison responded in the second half with an 18-7 run that cut the deficit to just two points with 12:49 remaining. Despite Gallaudet’s resilience, St. Mary’s answered back, outscoring the Bison 22-10 over a nine-minute stretch to secure a comfortable 76-62 lead with under two minutes left, ultimately sealing the win.
Key Performers
- Tjay Beckles: The first-year guard led the Seahawks with a career-high 23 points, shooting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Beckles also added three rebounds and three assists.
- Ree Smith: The sophomore guard scored 17 points, dished out a career-best seven assists, grabbed six rebounds, and recorded two blocks.
- Yassine Idrissa: Idrissa contributed 17 points, blocked a career-high five shots, and pulled down five rebounds.
- James Lerner: The sophomore guard chipped in 14 points, while first-year guard James Crimaudo added 10 points off the bench.
Gallaudet Highlights
Gallaudet’s effort was led by Blessed Mbogo, who posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Despite their persistence, the Bison were unable to overcome St. Mary’s decisive runs.
Team Statistics
- St. Mary’s College shot 49% from the field, including an impressive 54.2% in the first half.
- Gallaudet controlled the boards, holding a 38-29 rebounding advantage and outscoring the Seahawks 42-28 in the paint.
What’s Next for St. Mary’s
The Seahawks look to maintain their momentum with upcoming matchups:
- Dec. 4 at Notre Dame (Md.): St. Mary’s heads to Baltimore to face the Gators (2-3, 1-0 UEC) at the MBK Sports Complex at 7 p.m.
- Dec. 7 vs. Valley Forge: St. Mary’s will travel to Phoenixville, Pa., to take on Valley Forge (5-3, 0-0 UEC) at 3 p.m.
