Men’s Basketball Defeated By MacMurray, 75-57

The Westminster men’s basketball team was defeated by MacMurray College, 75-57, Thursday night. The loss brings the Blue Jays’ overall record to 7-7 and their St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) record to 4-3.

The MacMurray Highlanders quickly took the lead, but the Blue Jays battled to take it back. With 8:25 left in the first half, the Highlanders hit a 7-0 run, followed by another 7-0 run to take the 37-23 lead. The Blue Jays were unable to cut the deficit and headed into halftime down 41-25.

The Highlanders grabbed a 20 point lead after seven minutes of play in the second half. The Blue Jays answered back with a 12-1 run to bring the game within 10 points, 54-44. Two good free throws by Joe James brought the game within 9 points, 58-49, with 6:17 remaining in the game.

The Highlanders held the Blue Jays, and with 3:35 remaining, they sparked a 9-0 run to take a 20 point lead with 25 seconds remaining. Sophomore Kellen Brondel scored a jumper in the final seconds to end the game with a 75-57 loss.

Senior Joe James led the Blue Jays with 17 points, and junior Brandon Moore added 16. James, Brondel and senior Travis Cleveland grabbed four rebounds each.

The Blue Jays will host Blackburn College on Saturday, January 18. Tip off for the men’s game will be at 1:00 p.m.