Pryor, Okla. - The University of Saint Mary (2-2) opened the second half with an 11-0 run, then held off a late rally at the free-throw line to defeat Texas Wesleyan (1-2) 78-72 on Saturday, Oct. 31, at The Burdick Center to split their weekend at the Patriot Auto Group Classic.

The Spires went scoreless in the first half until Zach Hayslett scored a layup with 13:34 remaining. Hayslett later followed a steal with another layup to complete a 6-0 run, but USM trailed 28-20 with 3:54 left in the half. Hassan Flemming then scored the Spires' next seven points, pulling them within one. Hayslett tied it at 30 with a 3-pointer off an assist from AC Rollins at 1:27, then made two free throws with 31 seconds left for USM's first lead and a 32-31 halftime advantage.

Hayslett and Jordan Brown hit early second-half 3-pointers, with Brown's basket following a Hayslett steal. Flemming capped the opening surge with a 3-pointer assisted by Adam Tanner, making it 43-31 with 16:57 remaining. After Texas Wesleyan cut the margin to eight, Tanner answered with a basket. Brown later capped a 10-0 run with another 3-pointer, and Camory Hall connected from deep following Preston Ross' steal for a game-high 19 point lead at 10:31.

Texas Wesleyan then worked back into contention. Knowles hit consecutive 3-pointers to trim the deficit to 64-56 with 6:26 left before Flemming answered with a 3-pointer 17 seconds later. Sierras brought Texas Wesleyan within seven on a layup at 4:13. Tanner made both free throws on the next possession, but Sohn's layup narrowed the margin to 71-66 with 2:31 remaining.

Flemming led USM with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Hayslett added 20 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals while making all seven free-throw attempts. Brown scored 12 points, Tanner contributed nine points and four assists, and Joe Clark finished with six points and a team-high five rebounds. Ross added four rebounds, including two on the offensive end.

Saint Mary shot 47.9% overall, including 12-of-19 in the second half, and finished 10-of-20 from 3-point range after making 7-of-9 after halftime. The Spires held Texas Wesleyan to 35.2% shooting and 3-of-21 from deep. Texas Wesleyan countered with a 33-25 rebounding advantage and a 19-7 edge in second-chance points. Both teams committed 18 turnovers and scored 23 points off turnovers. Sohn and DeHorney each scored 16 points for Texas Wesleyan.

The Spires scored their final 11 points at the foul line and finished 22-of-26 there. Flemming and Tanner each made two free throws after Sohn's basket. With Saint Mary leading 76-71, Tanner secured a defensive rebound, then made one of two free throws at 18 seconds.

Sierras made one free throw with 13 seconds remaining before Brayden Rubidoux made one on the other end for the final point with seven seconds left.

Coming Up…

The Spires have six days to rest before heading to Lawrence, Kansas to play in the Ernie Stevens Classic on November 6th and 7th. Tip-off for the first game against the Florida College Falcons is set for 6:00 on Friday at the Coffin Sports Complex.