Men's Basketball Drops to Friends 71-57

Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Men's Basketball team hosted the Friends Falcons on Wednesday, resulting in a 71-57 loss. The Spires are now 5-6 overall and 1-4 in conference play. 

Blake Chadwick and Tysen Brennan hit threes to open the first half, giving Saint Mary an early lead. The Falcons countered with offensive pressure of their own, taking a 13-11 lead with twelve minutes to go. After a lull in scoring, Brennan hit a jump shot to tie the game at sixteen. Each team continued to match the other's offensive output down the stretch of the first half. Bryce Johnson hit two big free throws with no time left to give the Spires a 31-29 lead heading into the break. 

Deshaud St. Martin and Demarius Houston hit shots to open the second half to extend the Spire's lead to six. However, Friends chipped away to retake the lead with fifteen minutes left in the half. The Falcons used the momentum taken from Saint Mary to increase their lead to six. Johnson helped tie the game up again with a layup to make it 42 all. Friends responded with a 7-2 scoring run. Saint Mary was not able to recover and fell 71-57. Johnson led the Spires on offense with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Chadwick led the team on the defensive side of the ball with three steals. 

Up Next

Saint Mary will be on the road to play Kansas Wesleyan at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Salina, Kansas.