Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — Just when Saint Mary's University men's basketball coach Bob Biebel thinks he's got his team figured out, the Cardinals pull a fast one on their veteran coach.

Three days after watching the Cardinals put six players in double figures en route to an 83-70 victory over Hamline, Biebel watched in stunned silence as SMU's offense decided to take an early Christmas break, shooting just 35 percent from the field and scoring just 21 first half points in dropping a 79-69 decision to St. Olaf.

The Cardinals connected on just 8 of 31 field goal attempts in the first half, falling behind by nine, 30-21, at the intermission. Things improved a little in the second half as SMU erupted for 48 points. Unfortunately, the Oles' offense also poured it over the game's final 20 minutes, scoring 49 second-half points in winning for the fourth straight time.

Nick Michaels (Dyer, Ind.) continued to light up the scoreboard for the Cardinals, finishing with a team-high 19 points — marking the fourth straight game that the senior forward has scored in double figures. Jim Wangler (Wheaton, Ill.) chipped in a career-high 16 points, but it was not enough.

Mike Ludwig tossed in a game-high 24 points for St. Olaf (2-0 MIAC, 5-1 overall), while Justin Bonestroo (15 points), Kevin Jaunich (13) and Matt Schlenker (12) also scored in double figures.