Justin Wasik (Jr., Chicago, Ill. / Maine South) scored 24 points on a 10-for-13 shooting night, and Sam Marshall (Sr., Sun Prairie, Wis.) finished with a double-double, as Macalester defeated St. Mary's 70-63 at the Leonard Center for the team's initial MIAC win of the season.

Macalester improves to 4-8 on the season and 1-6 in the MIAC, while SMU is 1-11 overall, 0-7 in MIAC play.  The Scots shot 48% (after shooting 49% two nights earlier) and were successful on 7-of-16 on three-point tries.  They were also 13-for-15 (87%) from the charity stripe.

In addition to pumping in a career-high 24 points, Wasik also grabbed six rebounds.

Marshall gets his first double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Hans Erickson (So., La Crosse, Wis. / Logan) handed out a career-best eight assists.  Kyle Bernhard knocked down three shots from outside the arc and finished with 11 points.

Michael Burfeind scored all 18 of his points in the second half to lead the SMU comeback try, while Evan Pederson produced 15 points and six assists.  Tom Gores had 13 points and five assists.

Mac shot 56% in the opening period, compared to 30% for the Cardinals, and led 34-23 at halftime.  Wasik had 15 points and five boards in the first 20 minutes.  Bernhard nailed a three to put the Scots on top 15-4 at the 14:41 mark and Macalester.  The margin was at 14 points at 30-16 at 5:35.

St. Mary's came out strong in the second half and eventually took its first lead at 39-38 five minutes into the second period.   The Cards led 43-38 before the Scots staged a big 10-2 run to re-gain the lead for good.  Macalester was 11-for-13 on free throw over the final 4:13 to hang on.

The Scots go for two in a row when they play Saturday (Jan. 12) at Carleton.