Box Score MINNEAPOLIS – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team had five players reach double figures in the scoring category, but couldn't overcome a second half deficit and fell to North Central University 87-81 Tuesday night at CLC Gymnasium.
The Saints started the game out strong and jumped out to a quick 12-6 lead with most of the points coming from the hands of
Brett Tester (Andover, Minn./Andover HS). Both teams battled basket-for-basket en route to a tie at the half 38-38.
The Rams shot 62-percent in the first half compared to just 38-percent by the Saints. Both teams were perfect from the charity stripe in the first half with North Central going 12-for-12 and St. Scholastica going 13-for-13.
In the second half, once again the teams battled back and forth in a thrilling offensive game. The Saints were down 60-51 with 10:15 left when they went on a 12-to-2 run to tie it up at 63 apiece. The Saints were never able to capture the lead and fell despite having five players in double figures.
The Saints would shoot 47-percent in the second half, while the Rams shot just over 53-percent. The Saints struggled from the free throw line in half, going only 7-for-18.
Brett Tester (Andover, Minn./Andover HS) led the Saints with 20 points and a team leading eight rebounds.
MarShaan Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./Minneapolis North HS (Minneapolis Comm. & Tech. College)),
Chris Hamers (Onamia, Minn./Onamia HS),
Jonah Dahlman (Braham, Minn./Braham HS), and
Melvin Collins (Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle HS) each chipped in with 14, 13, 12, and 10 points, respectively. This was the first game of the season that more than two Saints were in double figures.
North Central (3-4) was led by Andrew Bernt and Nathan Roeder who each had 28 points. Jordan Harrell also chipped in 21 points for the Rams.
The Saints shot 44-percent for the game while North Central shot 57-percent. No Saints fouled out, while the Rams had two players foul out.
The Saints (0-6) will host Finlandia University (Mich.) this Saturday at Reif Gymnasium with tip time scheduled for 5 p.m., following the women's game. The game can be seen on csssaints.com via Game Central.
