Saints' Men's Hoops Unable to Overcome Early Deficit

ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Siena Heights men's basketball team dropped an 87-78 decision to Goshen (Ind.) in non-conference action on Saturday night.

Andre Johnson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills) led the Saints with 18 points while Chris Lemm (Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley) put in 15, but an early deficit was too much to Siena Heights to overcome.

Goshen (8-1) snapped a 7-7 tie with a six-point run and led the rest of the way. The Maple Leafs took a 15-point lead into halftime at 42-27 and opened the second period with six points, building their largest lead at 48-27 with 17:46 to go.

The Saints did not find a way to cut their deficit to single-digits until their last shot of the game.

SHU went on a late 9-1 streak, getting six of its points from Johnson, to trim the gap 84-74 with 38 seconds left. Cecil Clark (Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale) hit a 3-pointer just ahead of the buzzer, bringing the Saints within nine points.

Clark ended up with 13 points, eight rebounds and five steals. Paul Elliott (Taylor, Mich./Consortium Prep) scored 11 points.

Geoffry Gilot led the Goshen effort with a double-double, finishing with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Nate Manning and Casey Pratt had 14 points apiece and Mike Betcher finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Saints will play again on Wednesday when they open Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play with a home game against Concordia. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.