Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — Sunday's game against Concordia had all the makings of a storybook end to what has become a rather lengthy and unhappy chapter in the Saint Mary's University men's basketball team's season.

There could not have been a better setting in which the Cardinals could finally snap out of their 13-game funk than Sunday.

Not only was it Senior Day, but the Cardinals also planned on honoring senior forward Nick Michaels (Dyer, Ind.) for his 1,000th career point, which he scored in Saturday's 75-62 loss to Macalester.

Michaels did his part, collecting 24 points — his highest offensive output since a 26-point effort in SMU's second game of the season — and adding 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.

Problem was, someone forgot to tell Concordia, as the Cobbers rained on SMU's parade, as they got a pair of free throws from Joe Bueckers with 12 seconds remaining to give Concordia a 77-73 victory.

After managing just 13 points and falling behind 31-13 in Saturday's loss to Macalester, the Cardinals weren't about to dig themselves that same type of hole Sunday. SMU shot 35 percent from the field and trailed by just two, 34-32 at the intermission.

The Cardinals grabbed the lead, 38-36 on a three-point play by Michaels early in the second half, and held a 44-42 lead two minutes later on a basket underneath by Ryan Wilt (Naperville, Ill.).

From there, the Cardinals were never able to regain the lead, and trailed by as many as seven, before using a 16-11 run to cut the lead to two, 75-73 on a pair of free throws by Jim Wangler (Wheaton, Ill.).

That was as close as the Cardinals would get, however, as SMU dropped its 14th straight in falling to 2-16 in the MIAC and 2-21 overall.

Wangler joined Michaels as the only other SMU player to score in double figures, posting his second straight 20-point night. Jared Swanson netted a game-high 32 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the way for Concordia (6-12 MIAC, 7-15 overall).