Saint Joseph’s College upsets SMCC; moves on to championship

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine –Saint Joseph College played a dominant first half Saturday night, and held on in the second half, as the sixth seeded Fighting Saints upset second seeded Southern Maine Community 79-65. St. Joe's advances to take on the number one seeded Central Maine Community College Mustangs Sunday afternoon at 3:00.

The Saints jumped out to the early 9-0 lead before the Seawolves Scott Proudman hit a jumper to put SMCC on the board three minutes into the game.  St. Joe's had the hot hand in the first half, shooting over 51% from the field, and out-rebounding SMCC 27-7 in the first twenty minutes.  St. Joe's Dee Anderson scored 13 of his 17 points in the first, while teammate Michael Bowlers scored 12 of his game-high 19 points as well. Head Coach Phil Bartlett's team hit the locker room with the 45-24 point advantage.

In the second half, the Seawolves were able to close within then points, on a three pointer by Atencio Martin with a little over three minutes remaining, but that was as close as SMCC would get. The Seawolves were led by Jose Nouchanthavong with 17 points and five assists, while Martin scored 14 points, 12 in the second half. Justin Robbins chipped in 12 points, including three triples.

Five players were in double-digits for the Saints, led by Dee Anderson with Bowlers with 19 points and 14 rebounds; Dee Anderson finished with 17 points, while Kashean Alston dropped a double-double with 11 points and 14 bards. Rehiem Smalls and Dre Anderson each kicked in ten points in the win.