Kirksville, Mo. – The Maryville men's basketball team saw a late charge come up short as No. 20 Truman State ended the Saints' six-game winning with a 77-68 win. Kelvin Swims led four Saints in double figures with 20 points. Ari Jackson added 15 points, while JT Morgan and Dylan Ingram both finished with 10. The Saints shot 57.6 percent in the second half but Truman was even better at 60.8 percent for the contest.
 
What Happened:
Dylan Ingram powered the Saints to a quick start as he had a bucket and a 3-pointer for a 5-2 lead. Truman went up 5-4 but Ingram had a three-point play and a hoop by JT Morgan built a 10-6 cushion. Ari Jackson drained a 3-pointer, and Kelvin Swims scored on a layup and a 15-8 lead. The Saints went up 19-12 after two Morgan free throws eight minutes into the game.
 
However, Truman State went on a big run as the Maryville offense stalled. Jackson had a three-point play to end the drought. Swims and Jackson scored on back-to-back layups as the Saints used a 7-0 run and drew back to within 32-26. Truman took a 36-26 lead into intermission after shooting a scorching 64 percent.
 
Jackson's jumper pulled the Saints to 41-32 but Truman rebuilt a double-digit advantage. Maryville answered with six straight points on a layup by Davis Walker and two straight hoops by Morgan. The deficit stood at 67-50 but another 6-0 run pulled the Saints to 67-56. The Saints made a final later push. Jackson splashed in a 3-pointer, and Swims scored on a layup. After a defensive stop, Swims scored again to cut the gap to single digits in the final minute. Jackson scored on a drive as Maryville got as close as 74-68 with 45 seconds left. However, Truman State hit three-of-four free throws in the waning seconds to hold off the charge by the Saints.
 
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Kelvin Swims - 20
Rebounds: JT Morgan - 5
Assists: JT Morgan - 3
3-Pointers: Ari Jackson and Kelvin Swims - 2
Steals: Cameron Scales - 3
 
Records:
Maryville: 7-2, 2-1
Truman State: 6-2, 2-0
 
What's Next?
The Saints take a break for final exams and will not be in action until they travel to No. 19 Upper Iowa Tuesday, Dec. 14.