The Saint Mary men's basketball team earned their first win of the 2017-2018 season on Tuesday at Haskell. The Spires needed overtime to do it, as they used a 17-7 advantage in overtime to earn a 93-83 win.
After the Spires got out to a 17-9 lead early on, Haskell battled back with an 8-0 run to tie the game. The game went back and forth from there and the teams were tied a 26 a piece with 5:34 left in the first half. Haskell closed the first half on a 19-12 run from there and led 45-38. Haskell shot 60% from the field in the first half.
In the second half, Haskell continued to hold the lead until Demetrius Cady put in a bucket to give the Spires a 70-69 lead with 4:41 remaining in the game. The teams traded buckets the rest of the half, and the Spires led 76-74 with 1:14 on the clock. A Haskell bucket tied the game with 27 seconds left. After a timeout, the Spires would have a shot blocked a miss a desperation three as time expired to send the game to overtime.
In overtime, Saint Mary took control. The Spires opened overtime with a 12-5 run to take a seven point lead. Haskell would get the deficit down to five, but would draw no closer. Saint Mary sealed the game making four of their five free throws in the closing minute to give them the 93-83 victory.
Cady led all scorers with 26 points in the win. He also had a team high four steals. Cady made four of five from three point land. Brett Marsh provided 18 points for the Spires. Lavar McCullough posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. McCullough had three steals as well. Kenneth Banks finished with 12 points and six rebounds.
Saint Mary shot 53% from the field and 44% from three point range. The Spires out-rebounded Haskell 33-27 and held Haskell to just 49% shooting from the field in the game. The Spires foced Haskell into 23 turnovers in the game as well.
The men's basketball team will be back in action this weekend in the KCAC/HAAC Classic hosted by Graceland. The Spires take on Graceland at 7pm on Friday. On Saturday, Saint Mary will face off with Avila at 5pm.
