Published: February 16, 2008 11:30 pm         

ACM defeats Hagerstown

CUMBERLAND — Allegany College of Maryland redeem themselves for an earlier loss, and finished its regular season on a positive after the Trojans beat Hagerstown, 76-66, Saturday evening in Bob Kirk Arena.

Allegany slipped to 8-10 when the Hawks handed them a 89-84 loss on Jan. 20. The loss was the first of four straight for the Trojans, who are since 3-1. ACM finishes the regular season at 11-14 and 10-7 in the Maryland JUCO Conference.

George DeGroat scored 27 points, and added 11 rebounds for a double-double. Calvin Lee also recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points to go with 13 rebounds. Lee added five assists and four blocks.

Kelvin Bright had a game-high 30 points in the loss, and was able to reach 30 by getting to the line 18 times, making 11 of them.

“The big difference tonight was that we took charge on defense,” said Trojan’s Head Coach Mike Baker. “Hagerstown was averaging almost 20 points more than we allowed them to get, and the only thing I think we did wrong was let Bright get to the line too often.”

While the defense played solid in each half (allowing 33 points in each half), the Trojans increased a 34-33 halftime lead by stepping up their offense in the closing half.

The Trojans, who began the season 1-5, will get a home game on Tuesday with the opponent still to be determined.