BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The University of Saint Mary men's basketball team ran into a hot-shooting Oklahoma Wesleyan squad Saturday afternoon on the road, falling 91-71.

The Spires are now 7-6 overall and 4-6 in the KCAC.

Saint Mary and Oklahoma Wesleyan battled to an early 7-7 tie, before the Eagles went on a 20-9 run to take a 27-16 lead with 11:03 left in the first half. The Eagles lead would grow momentarily, but the Spires trimmed it late in the half after Tevin Killeen scored the final five points of the period. OKWU led 49-36 at the break.

The Spires could never quite hang on in the second half as the Eagles led by double-digits. Oklahoma Wesleyan's lead grew to 20 with 11 minutes left in the game as they rode the lead on their way to the win.

Raylon Howard scored a season high 27 points for USM, while Killeen added 12. The Eagles shot 52.6 percent from the field and the Spires posted a 43.6 field goal percentage.

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The Spires travel to Warrensburg, Mo. to play the University of Central Missouri in an exhibition game on Dec. 31. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.