CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — The St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s basketball team came up just short in a United East Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon, falling 78-74 to Wilson College. The Seahawks, led by sophomore guard Kyree Smith’s game-high 20 points, battled through a tightly contested game but couldn’t overcome a late surge by the Phoenix.
St. Mary’s opened the game with a commanding 12-4 run in the first three minutes, with first-year guard Tjay Beckles pacing the offense. The Seahawks maintained control for much of the first half, building a seven-point advantage with under six minutes to play, highlighted by a three-pointer from first-year guard James Crimaudo.
Wilson, however, began chipping away late in the half. With just over three minutes remaining, the Phoenix found their rhythm and closed the half on a 9-0 run. Gary Robertson tied the score at 33-33, and a three-pointer by Tobias Reese in the final minute gave Wilson a 36-33 lead at the break.
The Phoenix carried their momentum into the second half, quickly extending their lead to 12 points, the largest margin of the game. St. Mary’s responded with resilience, igniting a 15-4 run midway through the period. Back-to-back three-pointers from sophomore guard James Lerner helped the Seahawks narrow the deficit to just one point with eight minutes remaining.
Despite several chances to reclaim the lead, St. Mary’s struggled to capitalize in the closing minutes. A powerful dunk by first-year forward Yassine Idrissa brought the Seahawks within one point at 71-70 with just over four minutes left. However, Wilson’s Jalen Pierce and Jordan McKenzie combined to score the Phoenix’s final seven points, securing the win for the home team.
The Seahawks had an efficient shooting performance, making 50 percent of their shots from both the field and beyond the arc. Lerner, who finished with 12 points, connected on four three-pointers, helping St. Mary’s set a season-high with 10 made threes. However, turnovers proved costly, as Wilson scored 25 points off 19 Seahawk giveaways. The Phoenix also capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 16 of 18 attempts to maintain their edge.
Smith was the standout for St. Mary’s, scoring 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting while adding seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Junior captain Jake Koverman contributed 17 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, showcasing his strength in the paint.
For Wilson, McKenzie led with 18 points, while Pierce added 17. The pair also contributed on the boards, each grabbing six rebounds. Robertson and Reese chipped in with key offensive plays, ensuring Wilson stayed ahead during critical moments of the game.
St. Mary’s, now 7-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play, will return home to face Rosemont College on Monday, January 8, at 7 p.m. The Seahawks will then travel to Penn State Berks for a Saturday matchup, looking to rebound and continue their push in United East Conference competition.
This loss, while disappointing, highlights the Seahawks’ ability to remain competitive in tight games, a positive sign as they head into the heart of their season.
