LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – A fast paced outing for the University of Saint Mary men's basketball team turned into an 81-69 win for the Spires, as they defeated Tabor College in their home opener Wednesday night inside the Ryan Sports Center.

The Spires are now 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the KCAC.

Both teams had high energy in the first half as neither team could separate from the other. With 9:53 left in the first half, Saint Mary started to climb the ladder – going on a 9-0 run to take a 32-23 lead. Tabor came back just slightly, but the Spires remained in front as Cameron Southern and Jesse Moss scored the final three points of the half, to put the Spires up 46-37.

The Spires continued to put the pressure on Tabor, while holding them to just one made three-point basket in the second half. Saint Mary eventually led by 19 at 68-49 with 12:02 left. Tabor would make one final push in the final minutes, trimming the deficit to seven with 2:42 remaining. Donvan Sinegal and Christian Carmichael would bolster the lead back to double-digits to help the Spires keep Tabor away.

Lavar McCullough led the way with 14 points and Carmichael pitched in 13. Sinegal grabbed a team high seven rebounds and Raylon Howard added five assists.

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The Spires will welcome Bethel College to Ryan Sports Center on Saturday for an 8 p.m. tipoff.