MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - On Wednesday night, the Saint Mary's men's basketball team (5-8,1-3) traveled to Augsburg University (6-7,3-2) to compete in the first game of their conference series. The Cardinals secured a 73-64 victory, fueled by a strong second-half performance.
 
Jabari Sawyer dominated in the second half, recording an impressive 10-0 personal run that gave the Cardinals a surge of energy. He finished 8-of-13 (61%) from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, while also adding four steals to lead the team with 21 points. Breyton Buysman contributed 14 points and three blocks.
 
Sawyer Markham and Khai Branham both scored in double figures, shooting over 65% from the floor, with each adding a steal to their performance. Jemari Moore recorded a season high four assists. 
 
To open the game, it was a step-back jumper from Branham that gave the Cardinals an early lead, but Augsburg responded with a 13-7 run to take a 17-9 advantage as the Cardinals committed a few turnovers.
 
With 10 minutes left in the first half, Saint Mary's began to rally back. Jackson Harvey connected from the baseline, and Jonah Ogunsanya provided a spark off the bench with a driving layup.
 
Ogunsanya converted a three-point play, and Buysman added a layup to help get the Cardinals going. Branham followed with three more baskets around the rim, finishing the half perfect from the field at 4-of-4, and tying the game at 30. A buzzer-beating three-pointer from Sawyer closed out the first half, giving the Cardinals their first lead since their opening basket of the game.
 
Buysman started the second half with a personal 6-0 run, attacking his defenders to maintain the Cardinals lead at 39-34.
 
The Auggies became more aggressive on the boards and stepped up their scoring, pulling within three points with 13 minutes left in the game. In response, the Cardinals called a timeout, and it paid off. Markham knocked down a three-pointer, and on the next possession, Ogunsanya hit another from beyond the arc, giving the Cardinals their largest lead of the game at 51-42.
 
The duo then connected on a steal and a fast-break layup—Ogunsanya with the steal and Markham finishing the layup—extending the lead to 53-46.
 
It turned into the Sawyer show. The senior guard scored an impressive 10 consecutive points, knocking down two straight three-pointers, sinking two free throws, picking his players pocket, and finishing with a breakaway layup to stretch the lead to 63-46 with five minutes left in regulation.
 
Aside from two free throws by Buysman, Sawyer added another four points to continue his outstanding second-half performance. Augsburg took advantage of second-chance opportunities, scoring six straight points to cut the lead to seven, 69-62, with 90 seconds remaining, putting pressure on Saint Mary's.
 
The Cardinals lead was too much as they secured their first conference win of the season!
 
The Cardinals return to action this Saturday, hosting Carleton College at 1 p.m.