WAYNE, Neb. (Dec. 30, 2023) - The Buena Vista men's basketball team wrapped up the 2023 calendar year on Saturday evening with an exhibition game at Wayne State College, but the Beavers couldn't overcome a strong long distance shooting performance by the Wildcats during an 83-52 loss.

Freshman Kyle Sternberg led the Beavers with 10 points off the bench on 4-of-6 shooting overall. Junior Christian Stanislav was one of four Beavers to score six points and also added five rebounds. Senior Gunner Reed also scored six points and tied with Sternberg with two steals. Senior Jacob Gaudreau came off the bench and grabbed a team-leading six boards.

Buena Vista shot 40 percent from the field overall, but couldn't find its touch from long distance, making just 5-of-23 attempts (21.7 percent). The Wildcats, meanwhile, made 13-of-25 from downtown (52 percent) and 53 percent from the field overall.

Neither team spent much time at the free-throw line in the contest, combining for only nine total attempts.

BVU was forced into 19 turnovers which led to 31 points for the Wildcats. The Beavers forced only nine turnovers but did hold a slim 35-30 edge on the glass.

Trey Deveaux led all scorers with 15 points for Wayne State (8-6) while Sean Stokes and JJ Ferrin each made four three-point buckets and scored 14 points apiece.

Buena Vista returns to American Rivers Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 3, when its hosts Loras College at 7:30 p.m. inside of Siebens Fieldhouse.