Men's Basketball Comes Up Just Short at Siena Heights

(Adrian, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's basketball team overcame a halftime deficit to take the lead, but were unable to hold on, as they fell to the Siena Heights Saints in Adrian Saturday evening.

The first half was a back and forth, low scoring affair, but the Saints would start to pull away with their interior presence combining for 8-14 shooting and 11 rebounds in the first half.  Cleary would also commit too many fouls, and the Saints took advantage to help give the hosts a six point advantage at the break, with SHU leading 31-25.

Cleary would come out on fire in the second half, as Cleary quickly tied the game, and eventually took the lead after Tim Kewley made an and-one free throw with just under fourteen minutes to play.  Cleary would grow their lead thanks to a pair of Bennie Crenshaw Jr. free throws and a layup, giving the Cougars a six point advantage with ten minutes to play.  The Saints would turn up the defensive intensity, and went on an 10-2 run to retake the lead late in the game.  Cleary would get the initial stops they needed, but timely offensive rebounds forced the Cougars to foul to extend the game, and SHU would make enough free throws down the stretch to hang on to win by a 60-57 scoreline.

Bennie Crenshaw Jr. led CU with 14 points and 3 rebounds, while Jaylen Cole-Williams had 13 points and 4 assists.  Brockton Kohler would add 8 points, while Chris Williams posted 7 points and 8 rebounds.

Cleary falls to 1-20, 1-15 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will be back on the road on Wednesday, February 7, when they travel to take on the Aquinas Saints in Grand Rapids.