LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary men's basketball team struggled in loss to Bethany College inside Ryan Sports Center. The final score was 72-52. Saint Mary is one game behind York College in the final spot for the conference tournament.

The Spires are now 12-11 overall and 8-11 KCAC.

The Swedes jumped out to a seven point lead before Dallas Taylor fed Tevin Killeen for three to stop their run. Lavar McCullough scored the next eight points for the Spires, but the Swedes stayed hot and expanded their lead to nine with 9:14 left in the half.

Minutes later, Kobe Sifford got a steal and then made a nice pass to Brad Hailey for an easy layup. Hailey scored again on the next possession to make the score 22-18. With 3:11 left, Killeen made a bucket to make it a one possession game. The Swedes scored then scored seven quick points to expand their lead to double-digits. The Spires trailed 32-26 at the half.

Bethany put the foot on the gas in the second half and held a double-digit lead throughout the rest of the game. With 9:05 left in the game, Taylor hit two free-throws to cut the lead down to 15 but the Swedes answered to deny the late comeback from the Spires.

Killeen led the team with nine points and four assists. Taylor, Hailey, and McCullough each had eight points.

UP NEXT
The Spires will head to Wichita, Kan. on Feb. 5 to take on the Friends University Falcons. Saint Mary will look for revenge from a 67-52 loss against Friends earlier in the season. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.