LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary men's basketball team fell 67-52 at home to Friends University Saturday night after another rough night shooting.

The Spires are now 7-4 overall and 4-4 in the KCAC.

Saint Mary began the game with a 9-0 run with buckets from Raylon Howard, Brad Hailey, and Cameron Southern. Friends finally scored seven minutes into the game. Midway through the half, Luke Mackey dribbled down court and found Donovan Sinegal open for a bucket, and then moments later put up two more points after a pair of free-throws. The Falcons would tie the game up and then take a 15-13 lead after a USM turnover. At the 3:38 mark of the first half, Jesse Moss stole the ball and the Spires were able to capitalize with a basket. Moss and Hailey scored back-to-back baskets to give them a 21-20 lead at halftime. The Spires went 8-for-23 from the field and just 1-for-6 from the three point line in the first half.

Friends opened up the second half with a three-point bucket to regain the lead. Despite a better half shooting for the Spires as they shot 50 percent from the field and from the three-point line, the Falcons would expand their lead and pick up the road win.

The Spires struggled with free-throws as they went 12-for-26 from the line. Saint Mary outrebounded Friends 33-30. Howard led the team with 15 points, while Moss scored nine. Hailey led the team in rebounds with six.

UP NEXT
The Spires will be back in action on Dec. 11 where they will face (RV)Kansas Wesleyan University inside Ryan Sports Center for their final home game of the semester. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.