WINONA, Minn. — In the world of cut-throat network televesion, it's called Sweeps Week — a time when executives from all the major networks pull out all the stops in hopes of luring viewers to tune into their station.

In the world of Saint Mary's University men's basketball, the next seven days might as well be called Streaks Week — a time when the Cardinals square off against three teams in a seven-day span that boast winning streaks over SMU that are well into double digits.

First, it's Gustavus, a team which entered Saturday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletci Conference game at the SMU Gym having won 26 straight vs. the Cardinals, dating back to a 72-70 Cardinal win during the 1992-93 season.

On Monday, it's off to St. John's, where the Cardinals are winless since an 80-77 overtime win in 1967-68 — a span of 36 straight.

And on Saturday, it's back on the road to St. Thomas — and the Tommies 34-game winning streak vs. the Cardinals.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Day 1 of Streaks Week was much like the last 26 against the Gusties, as Gustavus used a team-high 32 points from Doug Espenson to secure a 69-50 victory at the SMU Gymnasium.

"We battled defensively — whenever you hold a league-leading team to 69 points in a game it shows you played good defense — but we're still not taking advantage of our offensive opportunities," SMU coach Mike Trewick said. "We're such a young team, and I think this season has been a learning experience for us more than anything else."

The Cardinals trailed by 10 at the half, 35-25, shooting 56 percent from field goal range to the Gusties' 45 percent effort, only to net 9 of 25 in the second half en route to the loss.

Michael Rohr (Bloomingdale, Ill.) pumped in a team high 18 points for SMU (3-12 MIAC, 4-16 overall), but it wasn't enough as Gustavus (13-2, 15-5) forced 18 turnovers on the game and rode Espenson's 32 points to victory lane.