Hillsboro, Kan. — A dominant first-half surge and relentless defensive pressure carried the University of Saint Mary to a 101-87 road win over the Tabor College Bluejays this evening Saturday, January 17^th as the Spires turned 22 Bluejay turnovers into a dominant KCAC win.

The Spires seized control in the opening 20 minutes, building a 53-36 halftime lead behind efficient shooting and active hands on the perimeter. USM forced 22 turnovers while committing only 11, repeatedly turning steals into transition opportunities to offset Tabor's edge on the glass and strong shooting from the field.

Kaeden Bonner led Saint Mary with an impressive 26 points, going 8-for-15 from the floor and 4-for-9 from 3-point range while adding five rebounds and three steals. He was a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line, including two free throws with 28 seconds remaining that pushed the margin to 101-85 and effectively sealed the result. Bonner was joined in double figures by Damare Smith with 21 points and six assists and Terrius Walker with 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting.

The tone was set early when Walker threw down another electric dunk less than two minutes into the game for a 2-0 lead. Saint Mary steadily stretched the advantage, using a 3-pointer from Mason Belcher to go up 29-20 and another from Smith to make it 34-22 as the Spires began to separate. Smith capped the half by knocking down two free throws in the final minute to send Saint Mary into the half 53-36.

The Bluejays responded after halftime, opening the second half with a free throw from Khalil Allen and a 3-pointer by Kam Kaniper to trim the deficit to 53-40. Kaniper kept the Bluejays within striking distance throughout the period, finishing with a game-high 28 points on 9-for-14 shooting, including 6-for-8 from beyond the arc, along with five rebounds and five assists. Tabor ultimately would go on to outscore the Spires 51-48 over the final 20 minutes but could not erase the first-half damage.

Each Tabor push was met with an answer from the Spires' back court. Despite being out rebounded 33-23, Saint Mary compensated by collecting 15 steals and converting at the foul line, hitting 23 of 25 free throws (92.0 percent). The Spires shot 48.6 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range, while Tabor shot 55.4 percent overall and 42.9 percent from deep but gave away too many extra possessions.

USM's defensive pressure and balanced scoring proved too much, as the Spires placed three players in double figures and topped the 100-point mark in the road victory. Coming up, the Spires will stay on the road, however a little closer to home, as they head to the campus of the Ottawa University Braves on Wednesday, January 21^st for a 8:00 p.m. tip-off.