ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s basketball team wrapped up their Seahawks Holiday Classic in triumphant fashion on Sunday afternoon, defeating SUNY Maritime College 78-51. A commanding second-half performance secured the Seahawks (6-4) their largest margin of victory this season, while the Privateers (5-4) suffered their second consecutive loss.
How the Game Unfolded
The Seahawks trailed briefly in the opening minutes when Jake Murphy’s layup gave Maritime a 4-3 lead at the 14:45 mark. However, St. Mary’s quickly responded, pulling ahead with a 9-0 run that established their first double-digit advantage, 17-8, with 8:35 left in the first half.
Senior captain Jake Koverman drained a three-pointer late in the half to push the lead to 33-20. The Seahawks entered the break with a comfortable 33-24 lead, setting the tone for a dominant second half.
The Seahawks shifted into overdrive after halftime. A layup by first-year forward Yassine Idrissa at 13:11 extended the lead to 20 points, a margin they would only increase as the game progressed. Maritime struggled to keep pace, allowing St. Mary’s to cruise to victory.
Key Stats and Highlights
St. Mary’s College delivered their most efficient offensive performance of the season, shooting a stellar 55.8% from the field. The Seahawks also hit a season-high nine three-pointers and dished out 21 assists, another season best.
Defensively, the Seahawks held Maritime to a 28.6% field-goal percentage, forcing the Privateers into difficult shots throughout the game. St. Mary’s controlled the boards as well, out-rebounding Maritime 37-31.
Maritime found some success at the free-throw line, converting 19 of their 29 attempts, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap against the Seahawks’ well-rounded attack.
Top Performers for St. Mary’s College
- Yassine Idrissa: The first-year forward recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. He also set a career high with two steals for the third consecutive game.
- Jake Koverman: The senior captain added 14 points and a career-best three assists, showcasing leadership on both ends of the court.
- Tjay Beckles: The first-year guard contributed 13 points and grabbed four rebounds in another solid showing.
- Kyree Smith: The sophomore guard tallied 11 points, a season-best nine rebounds, and six assists, demonstrating his versatility.
- Jaden Walker: Coming off the bench, the junior guard scored a season-high 10 points while adding two rebounds and two assists.
- James Lerner: The sophomore guard chipped in seven points and matched his season best with six assists.
Notable Contributions from SUNY Maritime
Jake Murphy led the Privateers with a game-high 19 points, while Jake Devaney added 10 points in a losing effort. Maritime struggled from the field throughout the contest, unable to overcome St. Mary’s balanced attack.
Next Up for the Seahawks
St. Mary’s College will look to carry their momentum into their next game on Tuesday, December 19, when they face Bryn Athyn (4-6, 2-1 UEC). The matchup is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Michael P. O’Brien Athletics and Recreation Center (MPOARC) Arena in St. Mary’s City, Md.
