Seawolves upset Mustangs for chance to repeat as YSCC Champions

AUBURN, Maine (YSCC) – The #4 seeded Seawolves men's basketball team defeated the #1 seeded Mustangs in a tightly contested game, earning a 62-59 victory on Saturday, March 4th.

YSCC All-Conference First-Team selectee Boston Caldwell (CMCC) got the scoring going in this rivalry matchup as he converted a majestic and-one with 18:33 remaining in the first half. Southern Maine marched down the court and immediately responded with a Cayman Warburton (SMCC) made three-pointer. A Randy Vasquez (SMCC) and one with 15:19 remaining in the first half tied the game at 8-8.

The battle continued with Southern Maine taking a 16-13 lead thanks to a made three-pointer from the Seawolves YSCC All-Conference First-Team selectee Jack Pyzynski with 6:57 remaining in the first half. From there, Southern Maine would put together a run, forming a 22-15 lead, forcing Central Maine Head Coach Dave Gonyea to take a timeout. Following the timeout, Central Maine would make a pair of crucial three-pointers cutting their deficit to just three, with the score 24-21 in favor of SMCC.

This YSCC rivalry headed into halftime with Southern Maine leading the way 24-23 behind Pyzynski's game-leading 7 points.

The second half began quickly with a Pyzynski bucket followed by a Jaeden Henderson (CMCC) three-pointer that found this game knotted at 26. For Central Maine, it was Wyatt Hathway (CMCC) who came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders with 8 points in the first four minutes of the half, but SMCC did not back down. The rivalry did not disappoint this wintery night at Kirk Hall. 

Another Hathaway hard-fought basket stretched the CMCC lead to 42-35, and would force Seawolves Coach Matt Richards to call a timeout and gameplan with 11:09 remaining and a spot in the YSCC Championship on the line.

Southern Maine battled back to erase their deficit and tie the game at 42-42 with 9:20 remaining. Central Maine would not go away, and responded with a run of their own, taking a 47-42 lead with 7:14 remaining.

Desean Cromwell (SMCC) fouled out with 4:43 remaining in the contest as his foul sent Henderson to the line where he would convert both free throws and give CMCC a 49-46 lead late in this YSCC contest.

Hathaway's three-pointer would temporarily extend the CMCC lead to 6 until SMCC's Luke Gabloff converted on an and-one, making the score 49-46, CMCC leading. The rivals continued to trade big buckets, and CMCC led 54-52 with 3:25 to go.

The battle continued, and with one minute remaining in the game Central Maine led 59-56 as chaos broke out. CMCC big man DeMarco McKissic was charged with a common foul and a technical foul, leading to his 5th, taking him out for the remainder of the game. SMCC would make two of three free throws, making the score 59-58 advantage Mustangs.

With 31.4 seconds to go SMCC Matt Richards called a timeout. The Seawolves had possession with 25 seconds remaining on the shot clock, down 59-58.

The Seawolves would work the ball into Luke Gabloff who drew a foul. He missed both free throws, but Randy Vasquez grabbed the offensive rebound and dished to Pyzynski who converted the crucial layup to give SMCC the lead 60-59 with 19.9 remaining.

CMCC would go down the court and find Cam Pollock in the corner, who missed a three-pointer out of bounds giving SMCC possession.

CMCC would be forced to foul, sending Gabloff back to the line. Gabloff converted both, extending SMCC's lead to 62-59.

After two Mustang timeouts, CM inbounded to Henderson, who was forced to put up a heavily contested, off-balance three, which missed its mark wide left.

The #4 Seawolves got the better of the #1 Mustangs down the stretch, winning by a final score of 62-59.

For SMCC it was Pyzynski who led the victory charge with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Despite the loss, Hathaway would finish with a game-high of 19 points and Henderson added 17 points and 4 made three-pointers.

The Seawolves advance to the YSCC Championship Game against the Herons of Great Bay Sunday, March 5th at 2 PM at Central Maine CC.

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Article by: Jake Laroche
YSCC Sports Information and Media Services Intern