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Satday, January 4, 2003 |
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(Through Friday, January 3) |
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The Cardinals saw their losing streak climb to a season-high five straight with back-to-back losses to Regis University (98-64) and Colorado College (74-66) on Dec. 19-20. … St. John’s, meanwhile, has lost three straight, including a 76-56 decision to Illinois Wesleyan and a 79-70 setback to Nebraska Wesleyan during SJU’s trip to Hawaii on Dec. 28-29. |
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The Johnnies' offense proved to be too much for the Cardinals, as SJU manhandled SMU in each of the teams' two meetings last season, winning 61-41 and 88-66. |
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The 98 points SMU surrendered vs. Regis were a season-high. … The Cardinals — who have not played at home since a 73-62 loss to Bethel on Dec. 9 — are still looking for their first home win of the season (0-3). … Lance Larson (Lakeville, Minn.) and Nick Michaels (Dyer, Ind.) are the lone Cardinals averaging in double figures at 14.8 ppg and 14.3 ppg, respectively. … St. John’s three-game losing streak is a season high. … Kevin Buth is averaging a team-leading 19.2 ppg and has been the Johnnies’ leading scorer in eight of their nine games. |
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Freshman / Forward Hometown Major |
WINONA, Minn. — The Christmas break could not have happened at a better time for the Saint Mary’s University men’s basketball team.
The Cardinals had just dropped back-to-back games to Regis and Colorado College during their three-day western trip to Colorado — extending their season-high losing streak to five games.
A little time away from the basketball court was just what the Cardinals needed.
At least that’s what coach Bob Biebel is hoping.
“We did not play well in Colorado and it was evident that our players needed a little break,” said Biebel, whose team was manhandled by Regis 98-64 on Dec. 19, then dropped a 74-66 decision to Colorado College the following day. “Regis was a very, very good team — but I don’t believe they were 30 points better than we were. And against CC, we couldn’t make a free throw to save our lives (SMU made just 11 of 22 free throws vs. the Tigers).
“We have got to do a better job from the free throw line — we’ve just got to do a better job offensively, period.”
Beginning this afternoon against St. John’s.
“We’ve still got a ton of basketball to play, so we aren’t about to hit the panic button or anything,” said Biebel, whose team is looking to pick up its first home win of the season today against the Johnnies. “We’ve had some good practices this week and everyone on this team is looking forward to getting back at it.”
While today’s game marks the first in nearly a month for the Cardinals, the Johnnies already have a couple games under their belts — having just returned from a two-game, seven-day stint in Hawaii.
“We know St. John’s is going to be tough — they always are. Add to that the fact that they’ve already played a couple of games, and we know we are going to be in for a battle,” said Biebel. “The key for us right now is to rediscover that high level of intensity that it takes to play in this league.
“We’ve got 16 conference games left — it’s a new year, and it’s time for us to start playing up to our capabilities.”