Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's basketball team gave visiting Gustavus all it could handle Saturday afternoon.

In fact, the Cardinals' performance against the Gusties was easily their best of the season.

Unfortunately, SMU's best wasn't quite good enough as Gustavus scored 22 of the game's final 37 points, breaking open a 55-55 deadlock with eight minutes remaining en route to a 77-70 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory at the SMU Gym.

"We played better," understated SMU coach Mike Trewick, whose team was coming off a disappointing 67-54 loss to St. Olaf on Wednesday. "If we play like we did today against St. Olaf, we probably win by 15 or 20.

"But that's the game of basketball, and that's what this group needs to learn — they have to bring it like they did today every time they step on the court," added Trewick. "It doesn't matter who the opponent is — they are all good. We've got to stop playing to the level — or the perceived level — of the competition. We have to play to the best of our ability night-in and night-out."

The Cardinals gave GAC everything they could handle in the first half, opening leads as big as six, before scoring the final three points of the half to take a three-point, 39-36 advantage into the locker room at the break.

SMU continued to bend but not break against the high-powered Gusties in the second half, answering each GAC run with one of their own, before Gustavus finally grabbed the upper hand for good on a 3-pointer by Andrew Olson with 8:24 remaining in regulation.

Once out front, the Gusties built their lead to as many as eight, 71-63, with 43 seconds remaining.

Just enough time for one last SMU run.

In a nine-second span, SMU got a layup basket by Brensley Haywood (Joliet, Ill.) and a 3-pointer from Brad Knights (Plainfield, Wis.) to cut the gap to three, 71-68. That, however, was as close as SMU would get, as the Gusties knocked down six straight free throws — and the Cardinals could only counter with a Haywood bucket.

"I was very happy to see us play like we did — we certainly played better than (against St. Olaf," said Trewick. "But in this business, the bottom line is wins and losses. We're getting a little tired of the 'moral victories.' — we need to find a way to finish the job."