St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s men’s basketball team saw its season come to a close Wednesday night, falling 94-85 to Penn College in the first round of the 2025 United East Conference Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament. Despite strong performances from guards Kyree Smith and James Crimaudo, the fifth-seeded Seahawks could not overcome the 12th-seeded Wildcats, finishing the season with a 14-12 overall record and a 10-6 mark in conference play. The team secured back-to-back winning seasons and reached double-digit conference wins for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign.
The Seahawks fell behind early, trailing 7-2 in the opening five minutes before a layup from first-year guard Tjay Beckles tied the game at 9-9 with 14:20 left in the first half. St. Mary’s never managed to take the lead, keeping the score close before Penn College created separation with a 25-16 run to close out the half, sending the Seahawks into the break down 47-37. The Wildcats extended their lead further in the second half, using a 28-18 surge to go up 75-55 with just under nine minutes to play.
St. Mary’s battled back in the final minutes, cutting the deficit to 83-76 with 1:26 remaining. Smith and junior captain Jake Koverman fueled a 21-8 run that put the game back within reach, but Penn College held strong at the free-throw line. The Wildcats converted 11 of 14 free throws in the final minute, including a perfect 10-for-10 from Gavin Barrett, to close out the game and secure the victory.
The Seahawks finished the game shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 73.9 percent from the free-throw line. Penn College dominated the rebounding battle with a +14 margin and shot 59.6 percent from the floor.
Smith led all scorers with 27 points while adding seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Crimaudo contributed 20 points and tied for a team-high seven rebounds. First-year forward Yassine Idrissa added 16 points, seven rebounds, a career-high three steals, and two assists. Koverman also reached double figures with 13 points and two rebounds.
Penn College was led by Barrett, who matched Smith’s game-high 27 points while dishing out six assists and collecting five rebounds. Livingston Cross recorded his Division III-leading 22nd double-double, finishing with 24 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.
With the loss, St. Mary’s season comes to an end, wrapping up a competitive campaign that saw the Seahawks achieve one of their strongest conference performances in recent years.
