ADRIAN, Mich. — Siena Heights nearly erased a 14-point first-half deficit with a spirited second-half surge, but the Saints fell to Defiance, 61–55, on Saturday afternoon at the SHU Fieldhouse.

Trailing 30–24 at halftime, Siena Heights leaned on Nick Sobush and George Kalatzis to claw back. Sobush scored 13 after the break, including a three-pointer at 8:35 and two free throws at 7:03. Kalatzis added a triple at 12:46 and converted key free throws to keep the Saints close. A Jonas Tester jumper at 15:07 cut the margin to two possessions, but Defiance answered with a dagger three from Carder Orr at 5:39 to seal it.

Sobush led Siena Heights with 17 points and four steals, while Kalatzis added 15 points and a highlight dunk late in the first half. Tester chipped in 11 points, and Jack Olis contributed seven points and six rebounds.

The Saints forced 22 turnovers and scored 17 points off them, but cold shooting from deep—just 2 of 18 from three-point range—proved costly.

SHU will return to play at Cleary on Saturday, Dec. 13.