Box Score Keith Germain had 29 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods avenged a loss to UC-Clermont with a 86-78 victory Wednesday in nonconference action.
The Pomeroys lost the first meeting to the Cougars on Nov. 22 as UC-Clermont's David Froedge caught fire for 30 second-half points. Froedge has continued to put up high scoring outputs in recent games, with multiple 30-point games and a 41-point performance, but SMWC held him to 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting in the second matchup. The Pomeroys' defense overall was effective, holding the Cougars to 43 percent in the game. 
"We made it tough on (Froedge). That was our goal, he has been hot," SMWC coach Mike Hunter said. 
SMWC built a 50-36 halftime lead, with J.R. Lumsden and Braden Edington posting 10 points apiece in the opening 20 minutes. 
Germain dominated the paint in the second half, but SMWC couldn't pull away. 
"We dominated inside with our size, which was the plan. Keith really had his way," Hunter said.
Froedge hit a pair of 3-pointers to build some Cougars momentum, rallying within 63-58. Lumsden countered with a pair of free throws and Germain converted an offensive rebound to put SMWC ahead 67-58. 
Marlin Lyons converted a 3-point play for UC-Clermont to pull his team within 68-65 with 7:06 remaining. Jabari Karim, who led the Cougars with 19 points, hit a 3-pointer to tie it moments later. 
The Pomeroys used a final push. Dez Jett pulled down a defensive rebound and pushed ahead to Lumsden for a layup for a 70-68 lead with 5:35 to go. Edington, who finished with 14 points, got to the bucket for a layup and a 74-71 lead. 
Germain connected on four straight free-throw attempts to stretch SMWC's lead back to nine, 80-71, and the Pomeroys held on for the victory.
The Pomeroys shot 53 percent in the game. 
Elkin Ramirez hit 3 of 6 from 3-point range on his way to 13 points. Lumsden finished with 14 points. Jett, in his SMWC debut, had a team-high four assists. 
SMWC (6-8) returns to action Dec. 29 at NCAA Division I Miami (Ohio).