SAU Falls to Saint Xavier

11/12/05
Box Score
DAVENPORT, Iowa -- The Fighting Bee men's basketball team has looked like night and day at times this season. After a bright, 18-point win Friday against IU-South Bend, 15th ranked SAU (1-2) reverted back to night in a gloomy 81-59 loss to Saint Xavier (3-2), who is ranked number 16 in Division I.

The Cougars took command of the game in the first half, getting out to a double digit lead with 12 minutes remaining in the opening period on two free throws by Chris McCormick. Tyler Ryan and Aaron Strayhand tried to keep the Fighting Bees close, scoring eight points a piece in the first half. Those two players accounted for half of SAU's points in the half, as they went to the locker room trailing 46-33.

From there, things only got worse. The Fighting Bees shot just 38% from the field in the second half, while making only three of 13 three pointers. Saint Xavier on the other hand shot 54% in the half, including 63% from behind the arc.

The biggest difference in the game was on the boards. Saint Xavier dominated the Fighting Bees inside, grabbing 42 rebounds, compared to 27 for SAU. Saint X. was led by the play of Dan Bolger, who grabbed 15 rebounds, while also scoring 15 points. The Cougars had four other players in double figures. Jabari Saunders led all scorers with 19, while Darin Riddle, Chris McCormick and Michael Brown scored 15, 11, and 10 points, respectively.

Tyler Ryan scored a team high 13 points for the Fighting Bees, on 3 of 6 shooting from downtown. Matt Wilke finished the game with eleven points, on four of five shooting, while Aaron Strayhand was the only other Fighting Bee in double figures, with ten. SAU finished the game a combined 6 for 24 from three point range.

SAU will try to get back on the winning track on Tuesday, as they'll remain home to take on Trinity International at 7:30 in Lee Lohman Arena.

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