LEAVENWORTH, KAN. - The University of Saint Mary men's basketball team extended their conference winning streak to five games with a decisive 83-73 victory over the McPherson Bulldogs on Saturday night. The home crowd at the Ryan Sports Center was treated to a thrilling performance as the Spires showcased a balanced offensive attack and tenacious defense.
The game started as a tightly contested battle, with both teams trading baskets in the first half. McPherson's efficient shooting kept the Bulldogs within striking distance, but the Spires' precision from beyond the arc and their ability to convert turnovers into points allowed them to maintain a slight edge. At halftime, Saint Mary held a narrow 39-36 lead.
In the second half, the Spires began to assert their dominance. A quick 10-3 run midway through the period, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Jordan Brown, gave Saint Mary their largest lead of the night at 10 points with just over three minutes to play. McPherson attempted to mount a comeback, but the Spires' defense held strong, forcing key turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities.
Jordan Brown led all scorers with 20 points, including four three-pointers. The senior guard added three assists and three rebounds in a full 40-minute effort. Joey Schultz was a force inside, tallying 19 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting night while grabbing six rebounds. Damare Smith contributed 12 points, six assists, and two rebounds, providing critical playmaking throughout the game. Coming off the bench, Jason Parson II was highly efficient, scoring 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting and pulling down four rebounds.
Saint Mary's ability to capitalize on turnovers proved to be a decisive factor. The Spires forced 10 McPherson turnovers and converted them into 12 points while committing only six turnovers themselves. Their superior ball movement resulted in 19 assists compared to McPherson's 11, showcasing the team's unselfish play. In the paint, Saint Mary scored 34, with Schultz and Bryce Johnson anchoring the effort. Despite being slightly outrebounded (34-30), the Spires' defensive intensity limited the Bulldogs' second-chance points to just 10.
Up Next:
With the win, the Spires improve to 7-3 overall and 5-0 in conference play. They will look to keep their momentum going on the road next Wednesday, December 11th, as they face Avila University at 7:30 PM.
