WINFIELD, Kan. — Wyatt Bell scored 22 points and Southwestern used a dominant first half to hold off Saint Mary 82-79 on Senior Day Saturday afternoon.
Before tipoff, the Moundbuilders honored six seniors — Wyatt Bell, Zach Hidalgo, Jayden Bridgeman, Isaac Hoberecht, Emery Eberhard and Austin Hilton — in their final home game at Stewart Field House.
Southwestern (20-8, 14-8 KCAC) shot 73.9% from the field in the first half and built a 47-35 lead at the break. The Builders led by as many as 14 late in the opening period.
Saint Mary (19-9, 13-9) rallied in the second half, trimming the deficit to two points in the final minute after a 3-pointer by Kaeden Bonner made it 81-79 with 55 seconds remaining. But Southwestern converted a free throw in the closing seconds to seal the victory.
Bell finished 9 of 15 from the floor and added five rebounds in 34 minutes. Evan Barber provided a spark off the bench with 20 points, including five 3-pointers, while Nigel John recorded 16 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Eli Sawyers added seven points and six assists.
Southwestern shot 50% (26 of 52) from the field and 78.6% (22 of 28) from the free-throw line. The Builders also owned a 32-17 rebounding advantage.
Damare Smith led Saint Mary with 26 points, and Bonner added 20 in the loss.
With a 14-8 mark in conference play, the Moundbuilders earned the five seed in the KCAC Tournament and will return to action Thursday, Feb. 26, in the against the four seed, Bethel College, in North Newton. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Thresher Gymnasium.
