SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) men’s basketball team defeated #2 NHTI 78-54 to capture its fourth Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championship in program history on Saturday, Feb. 26.

SMCC took control off the tip getting out to a 12-2 advantage and never surrendered the lead. Forcing the opposition into 17 turnovers, the SeaWolves held the Lynx and the YSCC’s most potent offense to more than 30 points below their season average in an amazing defensive effort. SMCC posted 48 points in the second to cut down the nets at the HUB for the first time since 2017.

Junior captain Ian Regan (Old Orchard Beach, Maine) topped all scorers in the game with 25 points on 10-17 shooting. Sophomore captain Zachary Mickle (Billerica, Mass.) connected for three, three-pointers and 19 points in 34 minutes of work. First-year Jack Pyzynski (Saco, Maine) and sophomore captain Cameren Cousins (Wells, Maine) both threw in 11 points.

NHTI’s Scott Spann and Donovan Rodriguez combined for 26.

The post-game awards ceremony featured Regan as the tournament’s Outstanding Offensive Player and Mickle as Most Valuable Player.

Head Coach Matt Richards commented, “Today’s effort by the team was a culmination of six months of hard work and growing as a group. We certainly are peaking at the right time and that showed today on both sides of the ball. I’m extremely happy for the team and coaching staff on winning the 2022 conference championship.”

As a result, the SeaWolves earn an automatic bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Div. 2 National Tournament in Richmond, Va. SMCC will compete as the #5 seed and match up with #4 Miami University Hamilton on Tuesday, Mar. 8 at 2:00 p.m.

Visit the schedule page for video and stat links.

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