WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's basketball team has been on a wild ride this season — and the Cardinals are determined to make the most of every minute.
 
Despite a heartbreaking 61-60 setback to Gustavus on Wednesday — a loss that snapped the Cardinals' impressive five-game winning streak — Saint Mary's is in the midst of one of its most successful seasons in many years.
 
And coach Joe Fano has no trouble revealing the recipe for the Cardinals' recent success — a combination of ingredients all working together for a common goal, and it begins with two names.
 
"We have two of the best offensive players in the league in Eli Cave and Raheem Anthony, who do not care who takes the credit," explained Fano, whose team is sitting at 5-2 overall, including 2-1 in conference play, tied with Saint John's and Bethel, and right on the heels of league-leading St. Thomas (2-0) — with games against the Tommies and Johnnies still on the schedule. "And our bench has really stepped up this year, and that takes some of the pressure off of Eli and Raheem.  
 
"Kareem (Anthony-Bello), Bruce Lockwood, Caden Freetly … the list goes on and on — there isn't a guy on our roster who hasn't played a significant role in where we are right now," Fano added. "And really, that's the biggest key — everyone is playing together and doing their part, whatever that role may be."
 
The journey has been especially satisfying for Cave and Anthony-Bello, who endured a forgettable 1-24 season in 2017-18 and are currently two of the main cogs in the Cardinal machine that is racing up the MIAC standings ladder.
 
"This senior group has gone through so much," said Fano. "I am so proud of Kareem; he's so active on defense and is always talking. He really has emerged as a leader this year. He works his tail off and has really worked hard offensively to become more consistent.
 
"Eli has been the soul of this team the last three years," he added. "The guys look up to him and follow his lead. I'm not only proud of what he's done on the court but off the court as well. Watching him mature and become a man has been a huge example for our team's success." Cave currently sits 10th all time in career scoring.
 
Fano described Tyler Engel as "the ultimate team guy." The third senior on this year's roster, Engel is graduating after just three years at Saint Mary's. "He's a great 3-point shooter and just great to have around," Fano said.
 
With seniors like that leading the way, it's no surprise the Cardinals are having the success they are — even in these crazy times of COVID-19.
 
"COVID made things hard, but I remind myself and my team to take every time we can get on the court as a blessing," Fano said. "We go in every game knowing it could be our last, and we have to give it our all."