ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – The York College men's basketball team earned a critical 84-78 Capital Athletic Conference victory on the road over St. Mary's (Md.) on Wednesday night that ended a five-game losing streak.

The Spartans (7-7, 3-4 CAC) not only ended their five-game losing streak on the season, but also ended a six-game losing streak to the Seahawks (7-7, 3-4). The last Spartan victory over St. Mary's occurred on Feb. 23, 2012 in the semifinal round of the CAC Tournament by a score of 61-58 at St. Mary's. York's last regular season win over St. Mary's came in a 64-61 home win on Dec. 12, 2009 and the last regular season road win over St. Mary's occurred on Feb. 9, 2008 in a 85-84 overtime victory.

A team and program most noted for its defense used a stellar offensive performance to come away with the crucial conference road win tonight. The Spartans produced their highest point total of the season and eclipsed the 80-point mark for the first time since the second game of last season in a 93-83 loss to Lebanon Valley at home. York also recorded its second-highest field goal (57.4) and three-point field goal (53.3) percentages of the season.

The Spartans used one of its best starts, both offensively and defensively, to ignite the confidence and swagger that had been missing from their game in recent weeks. Senior Chris Conway (Luthersville, Md. / Dulaney) played the biggest factor in getting his team started in the right direction as he hit a career-high three three-point field goals to put York ahead 15-6 within the first seven minutes of play. Conway finished with nine points as he did not make another basket for the rest of the game, but those nine points proved to be some of the most important points scored in the contest for the Spartans.

York's ability to work the ball into the paint and run the offense through the post proved to be another key to success in the first half and throughout the game, which is something else the team had struggled with as of late. York finished with a 38-28 advantage in points in the paint as all three big men finished in double-figures. Dalton Myers (Finksburg, Md. / Westminster) and Blayde Reich (Lebanon, Pa. / Lebanon) each finished with a team-high 16 points, while Zack Galic (Camp Hill, Pa. / Cedar Cliff) matched his season-high with 10 points

The ability to work the ball into the paint also spread out the defense and opened up room for York to drive into the lane or spot-up from outside. Matt Scamuffo (Chalfont, Pa. / Central Bucks South) used his full range of skills as he slashed to the bucket and knocked down some clutch three-pointers on his way to a 14-point performance as he shot 5-for-7 from the floor, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Brad Wesner (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Trinity) knocked down a pair of big three-pointers, including one that came with time expiring on the shot clock and gave York a 14-point lead with 6:21 left to play. Wesner finished with 10 points as he went 2-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.

Despite surrendering 78 points to the Seahawks, the York defense held St. Mary's to one of its more modest shooting performances of the season with a 41.0 field goal percentage (25-for-61). However, the Seahawks managed to produc one of its best performances from beyond the three-point arc as they shot 42.3 percent (11-for-26) from deep range.

The Seahawks' hot shooting from three-point land kept them in the game all the way to the end, but the Spartan defense, the calling card of the program, came up with key stops at the end to seal the victory. With a five-point lead and 13 seconds left, Myers came up with a huge block on three-point attempt, and then with five seconds left Mike Duffy, (Hanover, Pa. / South Western) also rejected a shot on a Seahawk three-point attempt.

The Seahawks would eventually get a bucket and cut the deficit to 82-78, but Wesner knocked in two free throws with four seconds left to close out the victory. 

The Spartans hit the road once again for their next contest as they travel to No. 13 Christopher Newport on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. CAC contest with the Captains.

Chris Conway photo courtesy of Derek Behrenshausen - Asst. Director of Athletic Communications

Audio Highlights courtesy of Darrell Henry