Game Summary

NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's basketball team entered Wednesday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game against Carleton needing two wins in their final two regular-season games if they hoped to make its first post-season appearance in nearly 20 years.

Their playoff hopes were hanging by a thread — and, unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Knights were armed with the scissors.

Carleton held SMU to 21 first-half points and built leads as big as 21 points in handing the Cardinals a 65-46 setback — and officially end their quest for an MIAC playoff berth.

"This was a tough game to lose — we knew what was at stake, and we just couldn't get the job done," said SMU coach Mike Trewick, whose team saw its season-high losing streak hit six straight. "We kept trying to make a run at them in the second half, but each time we got the lead down below double digits, we'd panic. It's the same thing we've been dealing with all season — we've gotten close on so many occasions, we just haven't been able to get over the hump."

Michael Batterman (Fond du Lac, Wis.) netted a team-high 16 points, while Michael Rohr (Bloomingdale, Ill.) added 11 for the Cardinals, who dropped their eighth straight road game and finished with a 2-12 record away from home.

"We've struggled all season on the road — I can't quite put my finger on it, but for some reason, we just can't put it all together on the road," said Trewick, whose team closes out its season on Saturday at home against St. Olaf. "Everyone's frustrated right now — but by Saturday we'll be ready to close out the season on a positive note."