The varsity basketball team split their two games last week, winning at home on Tuesday against Briarcrest 63-34 but losing last Friday at St. Benedict 53-43.
MUS jumped out early on the Saints and never looked back as they outscored the visitors 41-21 in the second half to get the easy win. Ten players scored in the game, led by Ryan Baum's 20 points and John Phillips' 13. The Owls shot 50% from the field for the game and made all 11 of their free throws to get the region win.
However, MUS could not maintain the momentum at St. Benedict.
The Eagles got the early lead and then spread the Owls out to control the MUS defensive aggressiveness. SBA put shooters in the corners in their halfcourt sets and then used penetration to pull in the defense and allow their shooters to get open. And the Eagles did not disappoint as they made 8-19 from the three-point line to keep MUS at bay.
The Owls still were in the game midway through the fourth quarter at 42-37. However, a Ryan Baum foul and ensuing technical foul ended his night, and SBA went on an 8-0 run to salt away their first region win.
Baum led MUS in scoring as he got 18 points before fouling out. Philip Reed added 9 points, but Ed Nienaber's 16 points was too much for the Owls. With the loss MUS falls to 12-9, 2-3 in the region.
Homecoming week has arrived at MUS this week as two games are scheduled. Tuesday night the Owls travel to CBHS while Harding comes to the Ross M. Lynn Arena on Friday night. Both games will tip at 7:30 p.m.