First-year guard Korey Blair delivered a breakout performance with a career-high 22 points, but the St. Mary’s College of Maryland men’s basketball team fell 74-68 to Penn State Brandywine on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Brandywine Commons Gym in Media, Pennsylvania, securing the No. 7 seed in the United East Conference Tournament.
The Seahawks closed the regular season at 10-13 overall and 6-7 in conference play, earning their postseason berth after a prior 68-64 win over Penn State Berks on February 10 that locked in qualification. Penn State Brandywine improved to 16-9 overall and 11-2 in the United East, claiming the No. 2 seed and extending its win streak to seven games.
Blair, a Baltimore native from Overlea High School, erupted for 22 points on 7-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-10 from three-point range and 4-of-5 at the free-throw line. He added a career-best seven rebounds, two steals, and played 35 minutes in the high-energy effort. First-year forward Evan Quintero nearly posted a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds, while guard Khairi Hyde scored 11 points with three assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Senior captain Jake Koverman contributed 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. First-year forward Tristan Thompson grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to go with nine points.
The game featured runs on both sides. Brandywine started with an 8-4 edge, but St. Mary’s responded with a 9-2 spurt capped by a Blair three-pointer for a 13-10 lead at the 13:40 mark. The Lions regained control at 8:23 with free throws from Jack Swider, part of a 9-4 run for a 19-17 advantage. After Koverman tied it at 19-19, Brandywine outscored the Seahawks 14-10 to take a 33-29 halftime lead, fueled by nine points off 10 St. Mary’s turnovers and eight second-chance points.
The second half saw Brandywine push to a 17-point margin at 65-48 with 5:56 left. The Seahawks mounted a late 20-7 rally to close within 72-68 with 21 seconds remaining, but Ahmaar Godhania sealed the win with two free throws at five seconds. St. Mary’s shot 46.9 percent from the field overall and converted 12-of-17 free throws in the second half, generating 24 points off 16 turnovers and 23 fast-break points.
Ja’bri White paced Brandywine with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Godhania added 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
As the No. 7 seed, St. Mary’s hosts No. 10 seed Keystone College (7-18, 4-9 United East) in the first round on Wednesday, February 18, at the Michael P. O’Brien Athletics & Recreation Center Arena in St. Mary’s City. Tickets cost $6 for adults and $3 for children, senior citizens, and military, cash only. The Seahawks defeated Keystone 67-54 on January 31 at the same venue, led by 17 points from sophomore James Crimaudo.
The United East Tournament field includes top seeds like Lancaster Bible College (regular-season champion), with Penn State Brandywine and Cairn University rounding out the top three. St. Mary’s has shown resilience in conference play, including an 80-68 road win over University of Valley Forge on February 7 behind dominant rebounding and a 68-64 home victory over Penn State Berks that clinched the playoff spot.
Located in historic St. Mary’s City, the college draws strong support from Southern Maryland’s tri-county communities, where athletics tie into regional pride alongside naval and educational institutions. The men’s team has built momentum through balanced scoring and rebounding in late-season games, positioning them for a potential upset in the opening round.
