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WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's basketball team battled all game with visiting Gustavus, but each time the Cardinals threatened, the Gusties would answer, as GAC held off SMU 67-59 in an MIAC game in front of an estimated 400 people at the SMU Gym.

"It's been very frustrating," SMU senior Will Wright said. "We've been in our last three or four games, but we just can't catch a break.

"It's been a bad dribble, an offensive rebound, or a shot that goes in and out; it seems like we just can't catch a break."

It's hard to argue with Wright on that, as Saturday offered up what seemed to be more of the same.

In fact, the play of the game in many ways sums up the last few for the Cardinals.

With just over eight minutes remaining in the game, SMU trailed 51-47. Gustavus' James Hill missed a jumper with the shot clock winding down, but Winona-native Paul Blacklock was there for the offensive rebound.

SMU once again played solid defense, and forced Blacklock into a difficult shot. Four Cardinal players had perfect position for a defensive rebound, but the ball, which hit off the back iron, bounced all the way out to the top of the key where Phil Wirtjes was waiting. Wirtjes then promptly knocked down the three to give the Gusties a 54-47 lead.

The Cardinals would get the lead down to three, but couldn't get any closer.

"We've played well and competed these last four games, we just can't get over the hump," SMU coach Todd Landrum said.  "We've been playing good defense and getting to the basket, but we aren't finishing around the hoop.

"We just need to get that winning feeling back."

Wright and Chris Palmer (Faribault, Minn.) each scored 14 points for the Cardinals, while Lukas Holland (La Crosse, Wis.) chipped in 10. Wirtjes and Dan Schmidtknecht each recorded 13 points to lead for Gusties in double figures.

The Cardinals (3-8 MIAC, 8-8 overall) are back in action on Wednesday, traveling to Arden HIlls, Minn., for a 7:30 p.m. game against Bethel.