LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Southwestern College erased a 13-point deficit and clamped down defensively in the second half to secure a hard-fought 68–64 win over No. 11 University of Saint Mary on Saturday, earning its first KCAC victory of the season.

With the win, the Moundbuilders improved to 5–2 overall and 1–2 in conference play. Saint Mary dropped to 6–2 and 1–2 in the KCAC.

The Spires dictated the early tempo, shooting confidently and building multiple double-digit leads, including their largest at 13. Saint Mary carried a 39–31 advantage into halftime, but Southwestern emerged from the break poised, opening the second half on a 13–8 run that cut the margin to 47–44 with 14 minutes left. A jumper from junior guard Evan Barber later tied the game at 49 with 11 minutes remaining.

Momentum swung repeatedly before Saint Mary used a quick burst to go ahead 59–52 with under six minutes left. From there, Southwestern mounted the decisive rally. A 12–3 run, capped by two free throws from junior forward Nigel John, pushed the Builders ahead 64–62 entering the final two minutes.

Saint Mary answered with two free throws, but John struck again, converting a layup that put Southwestern back on top 66–64 with 1:15 remaining. A crucial defensive stand set up Barber's two free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win.

Southwestern shot 46.8% from the field and a sharp 47.4% from beyond the arc while adding 18 points in the paint and 15 from the bench. Defensively, the Builders held the Spires to just 31.1% shooting overall and 28% from three.

Senior guard Wyatt Bell led all scorers with 25 points to go with four rebounds and two assists. John posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards, and Barber added 15 points, three rebounds and four assists.

Southwestern now enters a 10-day break from competition before traveling to Ottawa University on Dec. 3 for a 7 p.m. tip inside Wilson Fieldhouse.