WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's men's basketball team (1-21, 0-13 MIAC) ran into a hot-shooting Augsburg University squad (15-7, 8-5 MIAC), falling 97–62 on Wednesday night. 

The Cardinals kept pace early and tied the contest three times, but Augsburg's perimeter shooting, highlighted by 17 three-pointers, proved difficult to slow.

Leading the Cardinals, off the bench, Mitchell Hill put up a career best 12 points and three steals!

Saint Mary's struck first, as Khai Branham knocked down a three-pointer at the 18:10 mark off an assist from Sawyer Markham to give the Cardinals an early edge. Reid Klug later drained a jumper to knot the game at 14:00, keeping the contest competitive in the opening minutes.

Augsburg, however, found its rhythm in transition, turning turnovers into fast-break points to create separation. Reid Weckwerth added a three-pointer at 14:39, but the Cardinals headed into halftime trailing 48–26.

In the second half, Mitchell Hill provided a spark, converting a layup off a defensive steal at 11:33 to cut the deficit to 69–43. Hill continued to attack the rim, adding a fast-break basket and a free throw at 10:09 to bring Saint Mary's within 75–49. 

Augsburg answered with steady scoring down the stretch to maintain control. Augsburg outscored the Cardinals 49–36 after the break to seal the 97–62 result.

The team will be back in action on Saturday hosting St. Scholastica for the first time this season for senior day starting at 3:00 p.m.