PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. – Junior guard Sam Blaylock of Ijamsville, Md., and first-year forward Keira Mason of Brandywine, Md., combined for 51 points as the St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s basketball team cruised to a 96-47 victory over the University of Valley Forge on Jan. 14. The win marked the Seahawks’ seventh United East Conference victory, improving their record to 10-6 overall and 7-0 in conference play, while Valley Forge fell to 3-11 and 2-5 in the UEC.
The Seahawks established dominance late in the first quarter after a 10-10 tie, closing the period with a 15-4 run led by Blaylock’s eight points. A three-pointer by first-year guard Samantha Miller in the final seconds put St. Mary’s College ahead 25-14. In the second quarter, the Seahawks limited Valley Forge to just nine points while scoring 25, with sophomore guard Marley Saunders hitting back-to-back three-pointers to fuel the surge and extend the lead to 50-23 at halftime.
The Seahawks maintained their momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Valley Forge 26-10 behind 60% shooting from the field while holding the Patriots to less than 20%. Blaylock added nine points during the period. Mason opened the final quarter with six straight points, and sophomore captain Olivia Liszt added six more as the Seahawks capped a 20-point final frame.
The Seahawks recorded a season-high 96 points, shooting 48.8% from the field, and forced 39 turnovers, converting them into 45 points. Defensively, they registered a season second-best 22 steals while dominating the boards with a +17 rebounding margin. The Seahawks also outscored the Patriots 56-12 in the paint.
Blaylock led all scorers with 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, and added three assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Mason recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 25 points and a career-high 16 rebounds while contributing three steals and two assists. Liszt added 12 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists. For Valley Forge, Saniya Green led the Patriots with 24 points in the team’s fifth consecutive loss.
The Seahawks will next face Lancaster Bible College on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. in the MPOARC Arena in St. Mary’s City, Md., during their Heart Disease Awareness Game. Additional information is available at smcmathletics.com.
