LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary men's basketball team snapped their four game win streak Saturday night, falling 87-81 to Bethel College inside the Ryan Sports Center.
The Spires start the season 4-1 overall and 1-1 KCAC.
The game was neck and neck throughout the first half as Bethel went 18-for-33 from the field and Saint Mary went 18-for-32 in the first half. The Spires were down 16-9 seven minutes into the game. Raylon Howard made a power move down low to score and got fouled for the chance at a three point play. Howard sank the free throw, which gave the Spires some momentum offensively.
Donovan Sinegal made three straight baskets to make it a one point game with a 23-22 score. With 5:38 left to play in the half, Cameron Southern hit a basket to take the lead. After Bethel tied the game up, Sinegal found Jesse Moss for a three-pointer that would give the Spires a 43-40 lead at halftime.
The Spires commanded the majority of the second half, but fell behind 64-63 after a three-pointer was made by the Threshers with 11:29 left to go in the game. Bethel went on an 8-0 run to give them a five point lead with a 78-73 score. Late free-throws allowed the Threshers to sneak away with the win.
Saint Mary shot 53.3 percent from the field. Howard led the team in scoring with 17 points and had five rebounds. Brad Hailey went 6-for-7 from the field and had 14 points along with four rebounds. Sinegal finished with 12 points and had four assists. Southern was the final Spire that finished in double figures as he finished with 11 points.
UP NEXT
The Spires travel to Joplin, Mo. on Nov. 17 to take on Missouri Southern State in an Exhibition game. The game is set to begin at 3 p.m.