Box Score Box Score

MANKATO, Minn. – Sophomore #Danny Schmitz# (So.-Hinckley, Minn./Hinckley-Finlayson) scored a career-high 22 points as the St. Scholastica men's basketball team defeated Bethany Lutheran College today 93-83.

The Saints improve to 7-10 overall and 4-3 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). The Vikings fall to 8-10 overall and 2-5 in conference action. The Saints are now 6-5 all-time against the Vikings and snap a two-game losing streak in the series.

Schmitz came out hot scoring eight of the first 11 points for CSS. It was a tight first half with nine ties occurring. However, the Saints closed the half on a 12-0 run with #Bryan Johnson# (Fr.-Randolph, Wis.) scoring seven of the 12 points to give St. Scholastica a 48-36 halftime advantage.

Schmitz and Johnson combined to score 25 of the Saints' 48 points in the first half as CSS shot 54-percent from the field. CSS was also 12-for-13 from the free throw line. The Vikings shot 42-percent in the half.

Bethany Lutheran got the lead down to five after a slam dunk, but Schmitz answered with a 3-pointer to put the Saints lead at 59-51 with less than 14 minutes left to play. In got down to five again with 12:41 on the clock, but it was Schmitz again to answer with a 3-pointer to lengthen the margin back to eight. The Vikings would not respond as the CSS lead grew to 14 points and the Saints went on to win 93-83.

The Saints shot a season-high 56-percent for the game and were 21-of-23 from the free throw line. The Vikings finished at 48-percent shooting. The CSS bench out-scored Bethany Lutheran's bench 32-4 for the game.

Bryan Johnson (Randolph, Wis./Randolph HS) matched a career-high with 15 points for CSS, while #Jesse Taylor# (Sr.-Superior, Wis./Maranatha Academy) chipped in 14 points. #Troy Miller# (Sr.-Stillwater, Minn.) had his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jeff Zimmerman had a game-high 28 points to pace the Vikings.

The Saints will be at home on Tuesday night where they will face North Central University at Reif Gym. The tip-off will be at approximately 7:30 p.m., following the women's game.