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WINONA, Minn. —
Michael Burfeind (Lewiston, Minn.),
Tom Gores (Rochester, Minn.),
Brian Thomas (Bellwood, Ill.),
Josh Bennett (North St. Paul, Minn.) and
Joe Murray (Burr Ridge, Ill.) did everything they could to make their final game in a Saint Mary's University men's basketball jersey a memorable one.
Unfortunately, Augsburg refused to let the Cardinal seniors leave the SMU floor with a win in their collegiate finale, as the Auggies rallied from a six-point halftime deficit, outscoring Saint Mary's 42-25 over the game's final 20 minutes in deal the Cardinals a 71-60 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback.
Burfeind was unstoppable in the game's opening 20 minutes, knocking down 6 of 8 field goals — including the only 3-pointer he attempted — and adding a perfect 4-for-4 effort from the free throw line en route to a 17-point first-half effort.
With Burfeind hampered by foul trouble in the second half, Gores and Thomas took center stage — with Gores netting nine of his 11 points and Thomas eight of his 12 after intermission. And when he wasn't scoring, Gores was busy dishing and hauling as he accumulated career highs in rebounds (9) and assists (7), while Bennett and Murray did their part, chipping in seven points and four rebounds.
With Burfeind at the controls, the Cardinals shot a sizzling 59 percent from the field in the first half (13-for-22) with a pair of 3-pointers and a 7-for-8 showing from the charity stripe — and took a 35-29 advantage into the locker room at the break.
SMU netted the first basket of the second half to push their lead to eight, 37-29, but Augsburg answered with a 12-3 run to take its first lead since midway through the first half.
And the Auggies would never relinquish that advantage, leading by as many as 17, 64-47 en route to their 19th win of the season.
The Auggies, who have locked up the No. 3 seed in the upcoming MIAC Tournament, were led by Dan Kornbaum with 19 points. Tyler Schmidt (12), Noah Veach (11) and Andy Seidlitz (11) also scored in double figures for Augsburg (14-6 MIAC, 19-6 overall).
