Box Score Box Score
DULUTH, Minn. – Sophomore #Chris Hamers# (So.-Onamia, Minn.) scored a career-high 24 points as the St. Scholastica men's basketball team defeated Finlandia University (Mich.) tonight 74-58 at Reif Gym.
The win improves the Saints' record to 5-9 overall, while Finlandia drops to 2-12. The Saints are now .500 against the Lions all-time.
It was tight early as the score was tied at 7-7 a little over five minutes into the contest. The Saints then went on a 7-0 run with four points by #Max Dibrell# (Jr.-Duluth, Minn./East) and three points from #Kyle Allen# (Sr.-Black River Falls, Wis.). Later in the half CSS went on a 15-2 run to take a 30-13 lead. Chris Hamers (Onamia, Minn./Onamia HS) had eight points, including two 3-pointers during that span. The Lions chipped away before the half as the Saints led 33-26 at the break.
The Saints shot 41-percent, while the Lions shot 35-percent in the first half. The CSS bench had a 15-6 scoring edge over the Lions.
CSS increased its lead to 12 halfway through the second half, but Finlandia did not give up and cut the lead to six with 7:43 to play. However, Chris Hamers (Onamia, Minn./Onamia HS) and #Bryan Johnson# (Fr.-Randolph, Wis.) connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to up the lead to 12 and the Saints did not look back extending their lead to 17 before winning by a score of 74-58 to snap a six-game losing skid.
The Saints shot 41-percent from the field, including 7-for-16 from beyond the arc and 15-for-19 from the free throw line. Finlandia shot just 37-percent and its bench was out-scored 34-12.
Chris Hamers (Onamia, Minn./Onamia HS) scored his career-high 24 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 on 3-point attempts and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Kyle Allen (Black River Falls, Wis./Black River Falls HS) added 14 points and Bryan Johnson (Randolph, Wis./Randolph HS) and #Troy Miller# (Sr.-Stillwater, Minn.) each had 10 points. #Jesse Taylor# (Sr.-Superior, Wis./Maranatha Baptist) had a team-high eight rebounds. Tyler Gordan led Finlandia with 17 points.
The Saints will be at home again on Saturday as they will return to Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action and will face Northland College. It will also be Alumni Day at the Burns Wellness Commons. The tip-off is scheduled for approximately 5 p.m., following the women's game at Reif Gym.
