SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Regis University Men's Basketball team opened the 2-25-26 season at St. Mary's University (Texas), who were receiving votes in the NABC Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll, in the South Central Regional Crossover, but lost, 78-53. The Rangers start the season 0-1, while the Rattlers start 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first basket of the year would be a layup by Aaron Ofstun, assisted by Luke Soden. Gunner Walters scored his first point as a Ranger, then set up Ofstun for another basket in the paint. Logan Flores-Peoples and Myles Shields added baskets to keep the game close, and Ofstun's three brought the score to 15-17 with 7:31 left in the half. Luke Soden blocked a Rattler layup, and Walters hit two from the line, bringing the score to 22-27, but St. Mary's ended the half on a huge run, as, despite a Matt Yost triple, SMU led 44-26 going into the break.

Walters started the second half with a steal that led to a Soden layup, but the Rattlers responded with an 11-0 run. Flores-Peoples ended the run with a three, assisted by Walters, but SMU quickly started another streak. Soden scored from downtown, which sparked an 18-1 run for Regis that included a Quinn Lambert layup, a Flores-Peoples three, and an Ofstun hook shot. However, the momentum came too late, as the Rangers fell, 78-53

GAME NOTES

·        Soden and Ofstun both recorded 14 points, while Flores-Peoples added 10

·        Soden also earned three steals and two blocks

·        Lambert and Yost both grabbed six rebounds

·        Walters dished seven assists

·        Eddie McPhee posted 18 points and six rebounds for SMU

·        The Rangers shot 50% from the floor, and 44% from deep, compared to 48% and 43% for St. Mary's

·        RU committed 17 turnovers, while SMU recorded 11

UP NEXT

The Rangers return to the hardwood on Sunday, November 16 at #25 Lubbock Christian University, tip-off set for 2 pm MT.