Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Men's Basketball team played against the Avila Eagles on Saturday for Senior Night, resulting in a 63-61 win. The Spires are now 8-18 overall and 4-16 in conference play.

Saint Mary struggled to get going early, as Avila started the game on a 7-2 run. Luke Mackey eventually swung the momentum in favor of the Spires after he sank a three-pointer. This sparked a run by Saint Mary as Deshaud St. Martin and Kobe Sifford hit big shots to take the lead with 10 minutes left in the half. The teams went back and forth as time expired and went into the locker room, knotted at 28.

Avila started the second half fast to take a 28-24 lead but an 8-0 run by the Spires was highlighted by a three from Joey Schultz. The Eagles again tied the game midway through the half, but Saint Mary responded with another scoring run that was finished by an alley-oop dunk by Cam Southern from Schultz. Avila stayed close behind the Spires as they again cut the lead to 58-57 with 1:36 left in the game. Mackey hit a big three to extend the Spire lead to 61-57. Two quick layups by Avila resulted in the Eagles calling their final timeout. With six seconds left and Saint Mary leading by one point, a foul put Southern at the free throw line, where he nailed one of two free throws as the clock ran out on Avila. Saint Mary earned the big 63-61 win on Senior Night. Southern led the Spires with 14 points, while St. Martin and Schultz recorded double-doubles. St. Martin scored 11 points and had 12 rebounds, and Schultz ended with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Spires.

Up Next

The Spires will travel to play Oklahoma Wesleyan at 8 p.m. on Wednesday in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.