FROSTBURG, Md. (Nov. 22) – The Saint Vincent men's basketball team dropped a 75-72 decision to Hood College in the Frostburg State Tournament Championship game.
The Bearcats had four players in double figures in scoring. Senior Pat Jones and senior JC Howard both scored 14 points. Seniors Jaylon Bell and Bobby Swartwout both chipped in 11 points. Bell also produced a career-high seven assists in the loss.
Hood opened the game on a 9-0 run, which included three layups. SVC finally got on the board when Howard at the 15:35 mark of the first half.
The Blazers pushed the lead to double digits (13-2) with a pair of free throws. Bell converted a three-point play to cut the deficit to 13-5 with 14:07 to play in the half.
The teams then continued to trade baskets, as forward Austin Ford converted a layup after a hustle play by guard Kyle Rivera kept the play alive.
Sophomore transfer Matt D'Amico knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit back to single digits at 17-10. As the Bearcats offense remained cold, Hood rattled off the next six points, pushing the Blazers lead to 24-10.
A dunk by Jones made the score 24-12. After a Hood layup, senior Ben Klimchock converted a three-pointer, making the score 26-15 Hood with 6:38 to play in the half.
Three-pointers by Jones and Howard, coupled with a layup by Ford helped SVC to cut the deficit down to 28-23 at the 4:10 mark.
Another bucket by Ford helped SVC get within four points (33-29) with just over two minutes left in the first half. Hood pushed the lead back to nine points (38-29) before Howard scored a jumper to round out the scoring in the half.
The Blazers built the first half lead behind strong shooting. Hood made 53.8 percent from the field, including 3-5 from three-point range and made all seven free throw attempts.
A three-pointer by Klimchock pulled the Bearcats to 40-36 early in the second half. After Hood pushed the lead back to nine points, SVC used a 9-0 spurt to tie the game 46-46 with 14:30 to play. Swartwout started the run with two free throws then a layup. Howard then converted a layup on the fast break and made a three-pointer to tie things up.
Hood ended the Bearcats' run and regained the lead with a pair of free throws with 13:10 to play. Dan Sinwell knocked down a trey, cutting the deficit to 55-53 with 8:42 to play.
Hood pushed the lead to six points on two separate occasions, including a 62-56 edge with 6:25 to play. A pair of free throws by Dedert and a three-pointer by Jones cut the deficit to 62-61 at the 5:35 mark.
The Blazers pushed the lead to 66-62 before Swartwout knocked down a pair of free throws with 2:38 to play.
Trailing 66-64 the Bearcats got a defensive stop and an opportunity to tie or take the lead. However, a turnover and two free throws helped Hood regain a two-possession lead at 68-64.
Two more free throws pushed the margin to 70-64 but Jones knocked down a three-pointer to make it a one possession (70-67) game with 34.7 to play.
Bell knocked down a three from the top of the arc, bringing the deficit to just a single point (73-72) with 13.5 seconds remaining.
Hood knocked down a pair of free throws and the Bearcats three-point attempt to tie fell short to give the Blazers the win.
Jones was named to the All-Tournament team after totaling 34 points in the two games. Davon Hill earned Tournament MVP honors for Hood, scoring 22 points in the win over SVC.
Hood improved to 3-0 overall while SVC dropped to 1-1 in 2015-16.
The Bearcats return to action when they host nationally-ranked Marietta College on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The contest is the home opener at the Carey Center. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.