Shooting Woes Limit SMCC In Home Loss

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) men's basketball team was defeated 82-64 by the Knights from the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) in a non-conference contest at The HUB Saturday, Jan. 4.

The SeaWolves were limited to just 25 points in the first half, much to do with a 23.1 percent shooting performance—conversely the Knights converted 52.9 percent over the same stretch. SMCC returned a more productive offensive in the second half posting 39 points on near 47 percent shooting, but were unable to gain ground on an athletic CCRI squad.

First-year guard Pedro Fonseca (Portland, Maine) recorded double digits for the third consecutive game getting 19 to fall, adding four assists and two steals. Sophomore big DeSean Cromwell (Biddeford, Maine) tallied a season-high 14 points on an efficient 5-7 from the floor in 16 minutes of work. Sophomore captain Ian Regan (Old Orchard Beach, Maine) went for 13 points and picked up five boards, four assists, and four steals.

Six players from the opposition finished in double digit scoring led by Elijah Lewis' 18. Mitchel Noresca logged a double-double, dominating the glass with 14 rebounds, and Jeremy Remigio produced a well-rounded stat line with 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

In a post-game interview Associate Head Coach AJ Burton stated, "This was a tough one for us and it started on the offensive end early when we were unable to convert open looks—the struggle eventually carried over into our defensive abilities. We did show flashes in the second half where we got going defensively, and then getting easy baskets on the other end. It's a great lesson for our young men about always controlling the controllables, even when shots are not falling."

SMCC suffers its fourth loss at home and stands 11-4 on the season; CCRI improves to 10-4 overall.

The SeaWolves continue their NJCAA slate at UConn-Avery Point on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Tip-off in Groton, Conn. is scheduled for 6 p.m. WATCH.

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