Mount men fit in on big stage in season-opening loss to Maryland

Mount St. Mary’s displayed unwavering competitive spirit and fearlessness on the big stage as they faced Maryland in a season-opening game on Tuesday night. Despite a 68-53 loss, the Mountaineers found encouragement in the performance of their trio of freshman players who contributed significantly off the bench.

Coach Dan Engelstad praised the team’s intensity and the young players for not being daunted by the challenge. With top returning scorer Dakota Leffew struggling, freshmen Dallas Hobbs, De’Shayne Montgomery, and Ron Jessamy stepped up, collectively scoring 24 points.

Coach Kevin Willard of Maryland commended the impressive performance of the Mount’s freshmen, notably highlighting De’Shayne Harris-Smith’s contributions as the first true freshman to start for Maryland in years. Despite the loss, Mount St. Mary’s sees hope for the future as they prepare for their upcoming season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Despite the challenge posed by Maryland’s size and athleticism, Mount St. Mary’s showed grit and determination, leaving the Xfinity Center with optimism and a sense of improvement to build on for the rest of the season.

Overall, the Mountaineers’ performance against Maryland demonstrated their potential, leaving room for growth and development as they head into the new season.

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