ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester men's basketball team lost a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game to visiting Saint John's University, 81-56 Wednesday night in the Leonard Center.  With the loss, the Scots fall to 3-8 overall and 1-5 in league play, while the Johnnies improve to 10-1, 5-1 MIAC.

Saint John's took control early and built its lead up to 25-15 midway through the first half. Six points from junior center Kareem Ismail (Pasadena, Calif./Flintridge Prep) and a three-pointer by first year guard Dean Shoham (Encino, Calif./Viewpoint) sparked a 13-0 Macalester run that brought the Scots to within one, 25-24 with 2:37 left in the half. Alex Schmitt closed out the period with four free throws to send the Johnnies into the halftime break with a 31-26 advantage. Ismail was 6-of-8 from the field to lead all players with 14 points.

In the second half, Macalester struggled from the field as Saint John's pulled away, leading by as many as 27 points. After making just 2-of-12 from beyond the arc in the first half, the Johnnies drained eight threes while shooting 58.8 percent overall after halftime. Saint John's also out-rebounded Macalester, 42-32 for the game.

Ismail finished with 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor and 10-of-12 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed seven rebounds. First year guard Michael Gutierrez (Stillwater, Minn./St. Croix Prep Academy) tallied 11 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals. First year forward Wyatt Ferm (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) and sophomore Brett Olson (New London, Minn./New London-Spicer) each scored seven points. Schmitt led the Johnnies with 22 points.

Macalester returns to action on Monday, Jan. 11 with a league match-up at Carleton. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Northfield, Minn.