Lawrence, Kan.--In day two of the Ernie Stevens Jr. Classic, the University of Saint Mary Spires edged out the Benedictine Ravens with a narrow final score of 71-70 on Saturday, November 8th. The victory unfolded dramatically at Haskell Indian Nations, underlining a series of standout performances from the Spires.

The game commenced with the Benedictine Ravens taking an early lead, but it wasn't long before Jordan Brown of the Spires delivered a crucial 3-pointer, momentarily giving his team the lead. Throughout the first half, USM managed to push ahead by as many as 7 points. However, it was Kaeden Bonner's last-minute layup that tied the game, but only for a second before the Ravens clawed ahead ending the half in Benedictine's favor, 34-30.

In the second half, the Spires faced an uphill battle as Benedictine extended their lead by up to 12 points. The turnaround came when Cam Edwards and Jason Parson ll rallied the team, retaking the lead in a suspense-filled comeback. The climax of the game was marked by Kaeden Bonner's (ever heard of him?) buzzer-beater 3-pointer, ensuring a win for the University of Saint Mary. This decisive moment captivated all as the final buzzer heralded their narrow one-point victory, concluding the match at 71-70. The game ratified the Spires' strength in making timely/crucial plays and exemplified their teamwork under pressure.

Cam Edwards led the scoring for the Spires with 20 points and also grabbed 6 rebounds, showcasing an all-round performance. Jordan Brown contributed 17 points along with 5 assists, proving crucial in several offensive plays. Additional notable efforts were seen from Kaeden Bonner with 13 points and Jason Parson ll adding 11 points to the team's total. These contributions underscored a well-fought victory and a committed team effort.

University of Saint Mary Spires, now with a 5-0 season record, are set to face the Bethel College Threshers on Saturday, November 15^th with a 5:00 p.m. tip-off to officially kick-off KCAC play for the 2025-2026 season at Thresher Gymnasium in North Newton, Kansas. This promises to be another exciting outing for the Spires as they aim to continue their winning start to the season.