SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Saint John’s basketball team faced Hardin-Simmons on December 21, ending the Leslie Robinson Classic with an 81-71 loss. The Johnnies now stand at 4-7, with a record of 1-2 in the MIAC.
Shooting was a challenge this game. The team hit only 22.2% of their three-point attempts, going 6-for-27. At the free-throw line, they managed 56.5%, converting 13 out of 23 attempts. Notably, they struggled there in the second half, hitting just 8 of 17.
Senior guard Kyle Johnson led the team with a career-high 25 points, alongside five rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Henry Tschetter and sophomore guard Jamison Lien each scored 14 points and gathered seven rebounds. Tschetter also achieved a personal best with four steals.
There were moments of hope for SJU. They took an early lead of 18-13, but an 11-0 run from Hardin-Simmons shifted momentum. The Cowboys controlled the game, leading by as much as 13 points in the second half. However, SJU’s determination showed through a 13-0 run, tying the game at 48-48 momentarily.
Ultimately, Hardin-Simmons regained control, with both Chris Bryant and Asher Fleming scoring 20 points each. They shot impressively, with 55.6% from the floor and 81% from the free-throw line.
As the Johnnies move forward, they will face Augsburg on January 3. Fans will be hopeful that recent challenges will bring motivation for a stronger performance in upcoming games.
For those interested in further details, you can check the Box Score to see game statistics.
