Second Half Miscues Costly for Men's Basketball

SAN ANTONIO — Despite 18 points from Lachlan Bofinger and 16 by Damani Claxton, the St. Mary's University Men's Basketball team couldn't overcome a late second-half push from Midwestern State in a 74-61 loss on Monday afternoon in non-conference play.
 
Bofinger, a senior from Sydney, Australia, led the game with 18 points and three steals, while Claxton (Bronx, N.Y.) chipped in 16 points on the strength of four three-pointers. Senior Sebastian Mendoza (Riverside, Calif.) also drained three triples for nine points.
 
Junior guard Wayne Wiggins (Mansfield, Texas) recorded a career-best six assists as the Rattlers (5-3) amassed 18 assists on 22 baskets. Bofinger and junior Eddie McPhee (Denver) also tied for team-high honors with six rebounds apiece.
 
The Mustangs (7-2) shot 69.6 percent from the field in the second half, turning a three-point deficit at halftime into a 13-point victory. MSU was also extremely solid at the free throw line, making 78.9 percent for the game and 85.7 percent (12-for-14) after the break. A quartet of Mustangs scored in double figures, with Matija Svetozarevic leading the way with 14 points.
 
St. Mary's out-rebounded MSU, 30-to-29, and recorded 10 more offensive rebounds, 14-to-4, but scored only 12 second-chance points off the 14 caroms. The Rattlers committed 11 turnovers in the second half
 
The game featured 19 lead changes and 10 ties, with the last tie coming at 11:10 on a three-pointer by junior Malcolm Steadman (Union City, Calif.) for the 47-47 tie.
 
The Rattlers leave Tuesday morning for the D2 Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas. StMU will take on undefeated Missouri S&T on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 3:30 p.m. and Western Washington on Friday at 5:45 p.m.