ST. LOUIS - - The Truman men's basketball team had three chances in final minute to tie or take the lead, but the Bulldogs couldn't get a bucket to fall as Maryville held on for a 67-64 victory on Saturday afternoon.
 
After falling behind by 13 just nine minutes into the game, the Bulldogs (2-3) stormed back to take the lead on one of Isaac Gardner's six three-pointers on the day with 3:55 to play in the first half. The two teams were nearly inseparable for the next 19 minutes, as it wasn't until an MU three-pointer with 4:35 left in the game that gave either team a lead greater than five.
 
The Saints (2-0) maintained their edge, leading 65-57 with 1:53 to go before triples on back-to-back possessions by Gardner and freshman Mike Carlson slashed the lead to just two, 65-63, with 1:06 on the clock.
 
Following a steal, freshman Andrew Vander Zwaag was sent to the line, where he made just one of two to make it a one-point game. However, despite the Saints converting just two out of five free throws in the final 30 seconds, the Bulldogs missed a three-pointer and a layup on what would be their final two possessions.
 
Gardner led all players with 20 points, hitting six three-pointers and one regular field goal to go alongside a team-high eight rebounds. Junior guard Tom Norton added 18 behind four three-pointers, and Carlson chipped in eight – all in the second-half. The 'Dogs shot 39% for the game and hit 13-of-28 three-pointers, while also out-rebounding the Saints 36-27.
 
The squads combined for 28 made triples on the day, with MU also shooting 46% from long-range but hitting two extra.
 
Truman returns to Pershing Arena to play the nightcap of a nonconference doubleheader against Quincy (Ill.) University at 7:30 pm on Tuesday (Nov. 22) night.