VSU’s big second half brings down SMCC

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) men's basketball team suffered a 74-60 loss to the Knights from Vermont State University- Randolph in Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) action on Saturday, Dec. 9.

The first half featured back-and-forth activity, leaving the Seawolves behind two points at the break. The game returned even at 42-42 with near 15 minutes remaining before VSU strung together a 9-0 run to separate for good. It was the turnover count that proved demising for the Seawolves, giving it away 22 times compared to the opposition's seven.

Sophomore Luke Briggs (Augusta, Maine) led his team with 16 points, knocking down a season-high 4-6 from downtown. Both junior co-captain Thomas Martinotti (Harwinton, Conn.) and first-year Charlie Houghton (Dixfield, Maine) finished in double figures with 12 and 10 respectively. Sophomore co-captain Randy Vasquez (Methuen, Mass.) pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds in 27 minutes of work.

VSU's Jaylon Calvin continued his conference-leading pace with 25 points, 4-5 from beyond the arc. He added eight steals and six assists to complete his stat line. Teammate Tyler Allen totaled 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, five steals in all 40 minutes of play.

SMCC slips to 7-4 overall, 2-2 in conference scheduling. VSU moves to 9-3 overall, 4-1 YSCC.

The Seawolves round out the first semester on Wednesday, Dec. 13 when they take on conference rivals Central Maine Community College in the first of two regular season meetings. Tip-off in Auburn is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

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