SPRINGFIELD, MO. – The Maryville men's basketball team played at Missouri State in an exhibition contest Friday night. The Bears used a run late in the first half en route to a 92-67 decision in Springfield, Mo. In the second half, the Saints nearly played Missouri State even with the Bears only outscoring Maryville 44-43. Evan Palmquist led the Saints with 19 points, while Henry Sanchez added 13 points. Three Saints grabbed five rebounds apiece to lead the way on the glass.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Palmquist led the Saints with 19 points, knocking down three 3-pointers and going 4-for-6 from the free-throw line. Henry Sanchez added 13 points - all in the second half - on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, sparking Maryville's best run of the night, a 6-0 spurt midway through the second half that trimmed the deficit to MSU.
 
Lincoln Palbicki added eight points and four rebounds while Cameron Liggins chipped in eight points and five boards. Preston Clark contributed five points and three rebounds, including a pair of early steals that helped Maryville briefly take a 2-0 lead in the opening minute on a layup by Clark. Missouri State seized control with a 16-0 first half run overturning Maryville's narrow 5-4 margin into a double-digit advantage that grew to more than 20 by halftime.
 
Maryville improved offensively in the second half, shooting 43 percent from the arc. The Saints hustle on the glass also showed, collecting 19 offensive rebounds and 13 second-chance points.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Evan Palmquist - 19
Rebounds: three players - 5
Assists: Kobe Clark - 4
3-Pointers: Henry Sanchez - 4
Steals: Raynard Horry and Evan Palmquist - 3
Blocked Shots: Preston Clark and Evan Palmquist - 1
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints begin the regular season with two contests in the Wisconsin Dells, and start action Friday, Nov. 14, against Northern Michigan.