Box Score Game Summary / GameDay Preview

NORTHFIELD, Minn. — St. Olaf scored the game's first seven points and never looked back, as the Oles handed the Saint Mary's University men's basketball team an 83-65 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback Wednesday evening at Skoglund Arena.

Chris Palmer (Faribault, Minn.) scored 15 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season for the Cardinals, while Lukas Holland (La Crosse, Wis.) and Will Wright (Chicago, Ill.) each added 12 points and Mike Burfeind (Lewiston, Minn.) chipped in 11.

Alfred Jaryan and Connor Gunderson each netted a game-high 18 points for the Oles, who held leads of 10-2 and 21-5 en route to their 44-25 halftime advantage.

The Cardinals' offense found its touch in the second half — shooting 61 percent from the field and outscoring St. Olaf 40-39 — but SMU could not recover from the Oles' early barrage.

SMU (4-13 MIAC, 9-13 overall) returns home on Saturday, hosting Carleton on Senior Day. The Cardinals will honor graduating seniors Wright, Holland, Ryan Wockenfus (New London, Wis.), Gary Seifert (Prescott, Wis.), Matt Murphy (Woodbury, Minn.) and Patrick Connolly (Chicago, Ill.) prior to the 3 p.m. tipoff.