MCPHERSON, Kan. – A quick turnaround from Saturday put the University of Saint Mary men's basketball team in a matchup on the road with McPherson College. The Spires fought till the very end, but came up short falling 88-60.

Saint Mary is 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the KCAC.

A slow start for Saint Mary put the Spires behind early in the first half. McPherson jumped out to a 21-8 lead 10 minutes into the game. Larry Thomas and Kobe Sifford would connect on three-point baskets down the stretch of the first half, while Che Smith scored a couple baskets to trim the deficit. The Bulldogs however ballooned their lead to 22 points with a little over a minute left before taking a 47-30 lead at halftime.

Saint Mary continued to try to chip away at the lead in the second half as Diego Lucas sank a few baskets. McPherson's offense continued to stay hot and went on a 12-5 run to take a 68-43 lead at the 8:22 mark. The Bulldogs would ride the hot hand onto the eventual victory down the stretch.

Lucas led the team with 13 points. Smith, Donovan Sinegal and Brad Hailey each chipped in 12.

UP NEXT
The Spires will have a week to prepare for McPherson again when the Bulldogs visit the Ryan Sports Center on Jan. 25 for a 5 p.m. tipoff.