Naymick Tallies Double-Double, Career Highs in Loss

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- Visiting Stevenson University defeated host Washington College, 74-72, in a first-round game of the Pride of Maryland Championship tonight inside Cain Athletic Center. 

Stevenson (1-1) built a 25-10 lead with 7:29 left in the first half before the Shoremen (0-2) outscored the Mustangs, 24-11, the rest of the period to pull within two at 36-34 on a fast-break lay-up by junior forward Adam Naymick (Hanover, PA/Delone Catholic) with five seconds to go before intermission.

The Shoremen briefly tied the score with the first bucket of the second half, but the Mustangs scored the next nine points to take a 45-36 lead on a lay-up by Danny Murphy with 17:23 left. The Shoremen rallied to knot the score three more times before taking their first lead of the game on a jumper by junior guard Sal Schittino (Ellicott City, MD/Loyola Blakefield) with 9:28 to go. After Schittino's shot, neither team led by more than two points until Mustangs went on an 8-2 spurt to build a 71-65 advantage on a lay-up and free-throw by Stefon McCray with 3:58 remaining. 

The Shoremen got back to within one point when Schittino hit a three to make it 71-70 with 1:50 left. Greg Woody then made one of two free throws with 1:37 remaining to push the Mustang advantage to two points. Schittino knotted the score with a jumper with 47 seconds left. A Naymick steal gave the ball back to the Shoremen, who called timeout with 36.9 seconds on the clock. On the ensuing possession, Woody came up with a big steal and scored what would prove to be the game-winning lay-up for Stevenson with 17 seconds to go. A three-pointer by WC junior guard Kevin Breslin (Hagerstown, MD/St. Maria Goretti) was off the mark with a second to play as Stevenson held on for the win. 

Greg Woody led the Mustangs with 17 points, eight assists, and four steals. Danny Murphy added 16 points, seven boards, and three blocks, while Brett Burrier tallied 13 points and nine rebounds.

Breslin led all scorers with 21 points for the Shoremen. He also contributed six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Naymick had a big night, posting career highs of 19 points, six assists, and five steals to go along with 11 rebounds. Schittino added 13 points off the bench. 

Stevenson shot 51% from the field to Washington's 41% and outscored the Shoremen, 42-26, in the paint. Washington held a 38-36 advantage on the boards, including a 16-9 advantage on the offensive end. The Shoremen also forced 22 turnovers while committing 15. 

The Mustangs will play Frostburg State in the Pride of Maryland Championship semifinals Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Stevenson University in Owings Mills.  The Shoremen will take on McDaniel in a consolation semifinal at 2:00 p.m.