AUGUSTA, Maine— The Southern Maine Community College men's basketball team took care of business at the Augusta Civic Center Tuesday, Nov. 22 in its Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) victory over the Moose from the University of Maine- Augusta 77-74.
Four scored in double-digits for the SeaWolves, as captain John Morgan (Sanford, Maine) notched his second 20-point performance of the season dropping 22 and adding eight rebounds. First-year Ryan Cloutier (Pelham, N.H.) scored 21 and sophomore Dylan Silvestri (Pelham, N.H.) contributed with 12. First-year Anthony Lobor (Portland, Maine) poured in 10, all of which were consecutive buckets in the second half.
In this game of runs, there were 12 lead changes. The Moose held the biggest lead of the game by an 11-point margin early in the second half, and by seven points with four minutes remaining on the game clock. SMCC was able to string together a 10-4 run and cut the deficit to 74-73. With 10 seconds remaining, Cloutier knocked down a three-pointer and the SeaWolves reclaimed a 76-74 lead to eventually hang on for the victory.
SMCC's shooting percentage in all categories was less than their counterpart, however the SeaWolves out-rebounded the Moose by double, 54-27, and scored 24 second-chance points compared to UMA's two.
Head Coach Matt Richards commented on his team's grit and determination down the stretch, "We're learning how to play and get it done in close games- the types of experiences that will give us confidence in the later stages of the season. Today it was Cloutier who made the big shot. We're finding new ways to win and it's somebody different every game."
SMCC improves to a conference-leading 3-0, and 8-1 overall.
The action continues when the SeaWolves travel to Concord, N.H. to take on the Lynx of New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) in another YSCC tilt on Thursday, Dec. 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
For the latest on SMCC's athletic programs, follow Southern Maine Community College Athletics on Twitter @SMCCseawolves, Instagram smccseawolves, and on Facebook SMCC Seawolves.
