Box Score Box Score

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team out-scored Bethany Lutheran 14-0 in the final two minutes to defeat the Vikings 66-61 this afternoon at Reif Gym to claim the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament Championship.

Things looked like they were not going to go CSS's way this afternoon after the Vikings led by 16 points with 12 minutes to play and by 12 with 4:43 left. However, that is when the Saints woke up, and in particular #Chris Hamers# (So.-Onamia, Minn.). Hamers drained one three to cut the lead to nine with 4:34 left. Then with the margin back at 10, Hamers drilled another three to make it seven with 3:44 left.

A pair of Bethany Lutheran free throws made the score 61-52 with 2:12 left. Hamers came right back and hit another 3-pointer with two minutes on the clock to make it 61-55. Then following a Vikings' turnover, Hamers connected another three to make it 61-58. After yet another turnover by Bethany Lutheran, Hamers found #Troy Miller# (Sr.-Stillwater, Minn.) in the corner for a 3-pointer to tie the game at 61-61. On the ensuing possession, the Vikings committed their third turnover in as many possessions and Hamers dribbled up and drained a 25-foot 3-pointer to give the Saints a 64-61 lead.

#Jesse Taylor# (Sr.-Superior, Wis./Maranatha Academy) made a pair of free throws with 12 seconds to play and after Bethany missed a 3-pointer, the celebration began as the fans rushed the floor in elation as the Saints prevailed 66-61.

Hamers had just two points in first half, but was 7-for-8 from beyond the arc and scored 21 points in the second half, including 18 points in the final 5:26. Hamers' performance earned him the UMAC Tournament Most Valuable Player Award.

St. Scholastica could not get in an offense rhythm in the first half and at the beginning of the second half as it only shot 21-percent in first half and trailed 26-16 at halftime. Bethany Lutheran shot 33-percent in the first half and drained six, 3-pointers as they went on an 8-1 run to end the first half. The Vikings also had an answer every time CSS put something together at the start of the second half. However, it was turnovers that did Bethany Lutheran in with five of its nine turnovers occurring in the final two minutes.

The Saints shot 54-percent and were 9-for-12 from 3-point line in the second half. The Saints finished at 37-percent from the field for the game. The Vikings shot better in the second half at 42-percent to finish at 38-percent for the game.

#Kyle Allen# (Sr.-Black River Falls, Wis.) added 12 points and Jesse Taylor (Superior, Wis./Maranatha Academy) had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double. Jeff Zimmerman had 23 points to pace the Vikings.

The tournament title is CSS's fourth all-time and the third in the last four years. The Saints have now won a school record 11 straight games for an overall record of 17-10. The 17 wins are tied for the most in a season by David Staniger coached team.

This win also has bigger implications as the Saints have a slim chance at getting a Pool B at-large bid for the NCAA Division III Tournament. Fans can watch the selection show for the NCAA Division III Tournament tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on NCAA.com.