SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The Ashford University (4-2, 0-0 MCC) men's basketball team's three-game win streak came to an end and a bid to upstage 13th-ranked Briar Cliff University (6-0 overall) on Saturday fell just short, 83-76, at the Catholic Classic.

Sophomore Matthias Burns of Chicago was honored for his efforts at the Catholic Classic, earning all-tournament honors. He grabbed 11 rebounds and added six points in AU's effort.

Sophomore Marvis Kidd of Hazel Crest, Ill., turned in an impressive effort in the post, scoring a career-high 18 points in 24 minutes.

Briar Cliff came into today's game with a ranking tied for 13th in the NAIA Top-25 Preseason Poll with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.). The Chargers were looking for revenge after the Saints topped Briar Cliff, 80-72, on AU's home court in Kehl Arena.

"We led throughout the game until the last four or five minutes," AU Head Coach Andy Eberhart said. "They had a guy kind of catch on fire. I thought we played really well, really hard. We're trying to figure out who we are and had some guys turn in some great performances."

The "guy" Eberhart referenced was Briar Cliff guard Kyle Semprini who had a game-high 26 points. Eight of Semprini's nine field goals came from beyond the arc and he led three Chargers in double digits.

But the Saints outshot Briar Cliff from the field (49 percent to 46 percent) and kept turnovers to a minimum with just eight giveaways.

AU took a five-point lead heading into the break and senior Daniel Joiner of West Chicago, Ill., opened the second half with a three pointer.

It wasn't until the 6:13 mark that Briar Cliff started to control the momentum as the Chargers went on a mini 6-2 run in the final three minutes that proved pivotal. A three-point bucket by BU's Chase Vander Feen put the Chargers up by seven with a minute left and AU resorted to fouling.

Joiner led Ashford with 19 points. He was an efficient 8-for-12 from the field and was coming off the game-winning three-point play in yesterday's game against Mount Marty College.

Junior guard Mike Relerford of Rockford, Ill., was just two assists shy of a double-double, dropping 11 points and dishing out eight dimes against the Chargers.

Kidd eclipsed his previous career-high points total by six recorded against both Loras College (Dec. 30, 2008) and Silver Lake College (Nov. 4, 2008) in his freshman year. He connected on nine of his 14 field-goal attempts and hauled down six rebounds, including three on the offensive end.

"Marvis had a terrific game, had some great shots and really played like the way we know he can play," Eberhart said.

The Saints are back in action on Tuesday, hosting Cardinal Stritch University in Kehl Arena for a 7:30 p.m. non-conference game.