LEAVENWORTH - Kansas Wesleyan shot 56 percent from the field in the second half but could not overcome a seven-point deficit at halftime, falling to the University of Saint Mary Spires 59-56 on Saturday night at Ryan Sports Center.
Wesleyan scored the first five points of the game, but Saint Mary pushed out to a 16-9 lead with 11:18 left in the first half.
The Coyotes trailed by seven again with 10 minutes to go, but used an 8-0 run to take a 19-18 lead on a 3-pointer by Brandon Avedon with 8:37 left in the half.
After a Saint Mary basket, another triple by Avedon made it 22-20 Coyotes with 7:27 left.
A bucket by Gabe Phillips tied the game at 26 with 4:10 left but Saint Mary closed the half on a 10-3 run to lead 36-29 at the half.
The Spires led by 10 at 52-42 with 10:53 left in the game when the Coyotes made a run. Caiden Punt's 3-point with 7:03 to go capped a 15-5 run for the Coyotes that tied things up at 57.
Saint Mary scored the next six, but the Coyotes cut the difference to two points with a minute left on a basket by Evens Appolon.
Saint Mary scored the next four to lead by six and Avedon's bucket with five seconds left capped the scoring.
Avedon led the Coyotes with 17 points, while Punt added 12 as KWU was 22 of 50 from the field for 44 percent for the game. Punt led the Coyotes with seven rebounds.
The Coyotes will return to action on Wednesday hosting the York Panthers at 8 p.m. in Mabee Arena.