by Nathan Daggett / @daggett_nathan / sports@kvsc.org (Photo SCSU Athletics)

The St. Cloud State men’s basketball team got their 2019-20 season underway this past weekend at the GAC Conference Challenge in Searcy, Arkansas.

On Friday, the new look Huskies started their season against Ouachita Baptist University where they would lose 56-51.

The Huskies struggled to score in the first half as they only shot 25% from the field and 3-15 from the 3-point line. SCSU would come out strong in the second half and would eventually tie the game at 41. Things continued to be tight throughout the rest of the game, but Ouachita would hang on at the end with free throws to secure the win.

Trevon Marshall, who was St. Cloud State’s player to watch in the preseason, led the team with 16 points, while shooting 6-14 from the field.

Head Coach Matt Reimer was not shy getting some of his Freshman in early in the season as Anthony Roberts and Caleb Donaldson would both make their debuts. Roberts got the start and tailed 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks. While Donaldson scored 7 points off the bench for SCSU.

On Saturday, things again would be tight for the Huskies in their matchup against Harding University, but would ultimately fail to close out the game in a 61-60 loss.

Unlike Friday’s game, the Huskies put together a hot first half while shooting 50% from the field. During the second half, SCSU would lead 54-45 at one point, but a strong run by Harding was the difference in the win.

Senior transfer, Andrija Blatancic scored 20 points while shooting 9-11 from the field and also added 10 rebounds. Anthony Roberts would add 10 points in the loss.

St. Cloud State heads back home for their first game inside Halenbeck Hall against Oak Hills Christian College on Tuesday at 7 pm, and the game can be heard on the KVSC Sports Stream.