Springfield, Mo.- The University of Saint Mary Men's Basketball team traveled to take on the Evangel Valor in the opening round of the KCAC Championship Tournament on Thursday, resulting in a.

Demarius Houston and Blake Chadwick got Saint Mary going with back-to-back threes for the early lead. The Spires held onto their narrow five-point lead throughout most of the first half. Jordan Brown hit multiple threes down the stretch to help retain the slight lead. A layup from Deshaud St. Martin with under a minute to go made the score 37-32 as the Spires entered the break. 

St. Martin made it a 12-point game shortly after halftime with a layup and extended the scoring run to 7-0. Tre Alexander and Houston hit layups to keep the comfortable lead as the midway point of the half approached. Evangel started to mount a comeback with under three minutes to go and came within six points of the Spires. Joezy Schultz and Chadwick had critical free throws in the final minute of the game to secure the 78-72 win.

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Saint Mary has advanced to the semifinal round of the KCAC Championship Tournament to play Oklahoma Wesleyan at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.