LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary men's basketball tested (16)Oklahoma Wesleyan University Wednesday on Senior Night inside Ryan Sports Center, but fell 83-68 after a late run by the Eagles.
The Spires are now 12-14 overall and 8-14 in the KCAC.
The Eagles went on an 11-0 run early in the game and led 22-11 midway through the first half. At the 9:28 mark, Raylon Howard stole the ball and would eventually find Brad Hailey who made a great move as he dribbled left and then went behind the back to the middle for an easy layup. After a run by USM, OKWU hit another three to quiet the crowd. Tevin Killeen made a nice post move and kissed it off the glass to make it 27-20 with 6:43 left in the half. OKWU tried to pull away, but the Spires creeped back to trail 40-33 at halftime.
The Spires picked up the intensity in the second half as Howard stole the ball seconds into the half and took it coast-to-coast for the dunk. Moments later, Christian Carmichael stuffed a two point shot that would turn into a three-pointer by Howard on the offensive end to give the Spires the 41-40 lead. On the next possession, Carmichael passed the ball to Hailey who took it to the hole and dunked it over his defender which made the gym go crazy. The Eagles would call a timeout in hopes to stop the run, but the Spires would extend their lead to seven before OKWU would score again. Later, Killeen made a no look pass to Hailey inside the paint where he laid it up and everyone watched the ball spin around the rim a few times before falling in for the basket. OKWU trailed 55-48 and would go on 23-0 run. The Spires stopped the bleeding with a bucket underneath, but were unable to come back from the deficit.
Hailey led the team with 17 points. Howard finished with 14 points. Killeen led the team in assists as he finished with five.
UP NEXT
Saint Mary will travel to Winfield, Kan. on Feb. 19 to take on the Southwestern College Moundbuilders inside Stewart Field House. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.