Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — In each of its last three games, the Saint Mary's University men's basketball team has held its opponents to fewer and fewer points.

Sixty-nine against Concordia.

Sixty-four against Macalester.

And 61 Wednesday against St. John's.

Problem is, as their opponents offensive outputs have decreased, so has the Cardinals.

A season-low 49 points in the 69-49 loss to Concordia.

A new season-low 48 points in the 64-48 loss to Macalester.

And a new, new season-low 41 points in Wednesday's 61-41 setback against St. John's.

"The bottom line is shooting the ball. We get 12 more shots, we outrebound them and we lose by 20," said SMU coach Bob Biebel following Wednesday's loss, the Cardinals' fourth straight. "Somehow, that just doesn't seem right."

What wasn't right was the Cardinals' shooting touch early against the Johnnies.

After trading early baskets to keep the score tied 5-5, St. John's rattled off 20 of the next 22 points to take a 25-7 advantage with 6:28 remaining in the first half. the Cardinals outscored SJU 8-5 over the half's final six minutes, but their 25 percent shooting percentage from the field still left them staring at a 31-15 halftime deficit.

Nick Michaels (Dyer, Ind.) was the only SMU player to score in doubles figures, finishing with 11 points. Adam Kraemer (Oshkosh, Wis.) added nine points and Todd Yankowski (Chicago, Ill.) tallied eight points. Mike Nester scored a game-high 17 points to lead the way for St. John's (6-4 MIAC, 8-7 overall).