SALINA, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary men's basketball team battled the whole game against Kansas Wesleyan University, but a late run late in the game allowed KWU to sneak away with the 78-71 win. Five Spires scored in double figures.

The Spires are now 12-13 overall and 8-12 in the KCAC.

Both teams traded buckets early on. Midway through the first half, Christian Carmichael found Luke Mackey for a basket to give them a 17-15 lead. Moments later, Cameron Southern fed Brad Hailey for an easy bucket in the paint. Southern scored on the next possession to put Saint Mary up by six. The Spires held the lead until a bucket put the Coyotes up 34-32 with 1:32 left and they would hold onto that lead going into halftime.

KWU scored three quick buckets in the second half to put them up 41-34. Hailey stopped the Coyotes run by scoring a tough basket inside the paint, and then nailed a three-pointer on the next possession thanks to a nice pass from Jaylon Rucker. Midway through the second half, Southern drained a three-pointer to tie the game up for the tenth time. Mackey snagged an offensive rebound and fed it to Donovan Sinegal inside the paint, who gave the Spires their first lead of the second half. After a free-throw by Carmichael, Saint Mary led 67-66 with 3:30 left to play. The Coyotes rallied and outscored the Spires 12-4 the rest of the way to sneak away with the victory.

Hailey led the team with 17 points and Sinegal finished with 11 points. Rucker, Southern, and Carmichael finished each had 10 points. Mackey led the team with four assists. The Spires shot 50.9% from the field.

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The Spires return home on Feb. 12 where they will face (16)Oklahoma Wesleyan University inside Ryan Sports Center for Senior Night. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.