ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's basketball team saw its second-half lead disappear, as Saint Mary's broke open a close game to win, 86-69 in a MIAC game Saturday afternoon in the Leonard Center. Prior to the game, the Scots honored their seniors as a part of Senior Day.

In an exciting first half, Macalester trailed by as many as nine points before using an 18-2 run to take a 30-23 advantage with 7:32 on the clock. Senior forward Wyatt Ferm (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) and junior guard Nikhil Smith (Augusta, Ga./Lakeside) each scored five points and sophomore center Jackson Henningfield (Lake Mary, Fla./Lyman) had four points in the run. The Cardinals (8-16, 4-15 MIAC) came within two points several times before a three-pointer by first year guard Eric Sathy (Cupertino, Calif./Homestead) made the score 43-38 with a minute left in the half. Eli Cave scored late for Saint Mary's, as the Scots took a 43-40 edge into halftime. Macalester shot 64.0 percent from the field compared to 37.9 percent for the Cardinals in the first half.

Early in the second half, baskets by Ferm and Henningfield helped the Scots push their lead to 48-41 with just under 18 minutes remaining. Saint Mary's responded by scoring nine of the next 10 points to lead, 50-49 with 15:53 to play. The lead changed hands three times over the next five minute before the Cardinals tallied nine straight points for a 63-55 advantage with 8:27 on the clock. A basket and two free throws by Henningfield brought Macalester to within four, 63-59. But Saint Mary's turned a close game into a runaway win with a late 15-2 run for a 78-61 bulge. The Scots were able to cut the deficit to 11 twice but the Cardinals handed Macalester its first loss in three games.

The Scots' hot shooting hand went cold in the second half, making just 25.0 percent from the floor. Ferm led Macalester with 18 points and nine rebounds before fouling out midway through the second half. Sathy finished with 15 points, sophomore guard Gabriel Ramos (Dorado, Puerto Rico/Tasis Dorado) had 14 points and five rebounds, and Henningfield added 11 points and five boards. Cave led all players with 36 points and 12 rebounds for Saint Mary's.

Before the game, Macalester honored seniors Ferm, guards Carl Salvino (Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt) and Andrew Smith (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine), and student assistant Isaac Siegel (Amherst, Mass./Amherst Regional).

The Scots (6-18, 4-16 MIAC) conclude the 2018-19 season on Wednesday, Feb. 13 with a home game against Augsburg. The MIAC contest begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.