Box Score Box Score
HANCOCK, Mich. – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team came away from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with a bitter taste in its mouth after falling to Finlandia University 76-75 in overtime this afternoon.
The Saints fall to an overall record of 4-4, while the Lions improve to 2-7 overall. The Saints are 4-5 all-time against Finlandia and have lost the last two games by a combined three points.
The Saints scored six of the first seven points and led 15-6 with 11 minutes to go in the first half. The Lions then went on a 12-3 run over the next three minutes to tie the game at 18-18. The lead switched hands over the next five minutes before CSS scored the final six points of the first half to take 32-27 at halftime.
The Saints shot 64-percent in the half, while the Lions shot just 37-percent. The CSS bench scored 22 points in the half.
The Saints went up by as much as 13 in the second half only to let that lead slip away. The Lions battled back and off an offensive rebound hit a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime with the score tied at 68-68. In overtime the Saints led by four, but the Lions would hit a three and then get a lay-up with under 10 seconds to play to prevail by a score of 76-75.
The Saints shot 55-percent for the game, but were just 12-for-19 from the free throw line. The Saints also committed 23 turnovers. The Lions shot 43-percent.
#Chris Hamers# (So.-Onamia, Minn.) scored 18 points off the bench for the second consecutive game to lead the Saints. #Danny Schmitz# (So.-Hinckley, Minn./Hinckley-Finlayson) added 13 points off the bench and #Justin Nelson# (Sr.-Duluth, Minn./Marshall) had 11 points in a reserve role. The only starter in double-figures was #Jesse Taylor# (Sr.-Superior, Wis./Maranatha Academy), who had 12 points. #Troy Miller# (Sr.-Stillwater, Minn.) had a team-high six rebounds. Tyler Gordon had a game-high 27 points for the Lions.
The Saints have off until after Christmas when they will participate in the Nicolet Bank Tournament hosted St. Norbert College on Monday, December 29th and Tuesday, December 30th. CSS opens up with the Green Knights on the 29th with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.
