ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — First-year guard Korey Blair scored a career-high 18 points Saturday afternoon, but St. Mary’s College of Maryland could not overcome a cold second half, dropping a 67-55 non-conference decision to visiting Stevenson University at MPOARC Arena.
The Seahawks (2-3) led by eight points midway through the first half, but the Mustangs (5-0) used a strong start to the second period to seize control and hand St. Mary’s College its second consecutive loss.
St. Mary’s College opened the game with a 14-4 surge capped by a three-pointer from first-year forward Evan Quintero that gave the home team a 20-12 advantage with 9:40 remaining in the opening half. Stevenson answered with a 13-8 push over the final minutes before intermission to trail just 28-25 at the break.
The Mustangs carried that momentum into the second half, scoring eight of the first ten points after halftime to take the lead for good. Stevenson eventually stretched the margin to 19 points with 4:14 left and coasted to the finish.
The Seahawks shot a season-low 33.9 percent from the floor and went 0-for-10 from three-point range after halftime, having connected on seven triples before the break. Stevenson dominated inside, outscoring St. Mary’s College 42-20 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 38-33.
Blair, a Baltimore native from Overlea High School, went 7-for-field including three three-pointers and added a career-best two steals in 30 minutes. Quintero finished with 12 points, and sophomore James Crimaudo contributed 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Senior captain Jake Koverman scored six of the Seahawks’ final ten points in the closing minutes.
For Stevenson, reserve Kendall Seguignol paced the Mustangs with 17 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. The victory ended an 11-game Stevenson losing streak in the series that dated back to February 2004 — the Mustangs’ first win over St. Mary’s College since a 58-57 decision on their home floor more than 20 years ago.
The loss continues a challenging early stretch for St. Mary’s College, which has played four of its first five games at home inside the Michael P. O’Brien Athletics & Recreation Center. The Seahawks are now 2-0 when leading at halftime this season and 0-3 when trailing or tied entering the final period.
St. Mary’s College returns to action Tuesday, November 26, with a 2 p.m. non-conference road game at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The Bison enter the contest 3-3 overall.
