Box Score DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team was in once again was able to hit key free-throws down the stretch to pull away against the Crown College Storm, eventually winning 75-63 Saturday night at the Reif Gymnasium.

The opening minutes saw Cole Mortel (Luck, Wis./Luck HS) score the games first points off of a lay-up.  Crown was able to tie the game twice and take a lead of one point at the 11:36 mark, but from there it was all Saints as they extended the lead to 10 with 3:51 left remaining in the half.

The Storm was able to cut into the 10 point deficit in the final moments of the first half and the Saints went into the break leading 33-27. 

In the first half, the Saints were able to shoot 3-for-8 from beyond the arc while Crown was 0-for-7.  The teams combined for 18 turnovers, 10 by Crown and eight by CSS.

The second half saw the Saints and the Storm trade baskets for the duration of the half until the Storm were able to gain the lead at the 7:52 mark of the half.  The Saints were able to hit key free-throws down the stretch and would pull away in the late goings to win 75-63 in a physical and hard fought game from both teams.

Crown (6-8, 1-2 UMAC) were led by 7'1 center Anthony Diloreto with 18 points and 14 rebounds.  Truman Shelter added 14 points from the point guard position.

The Storm finished the game shooting 40-percent from the field, 20-percent from beyond the arc, and 80-percent from the free-throw line.  Crown would grab 32 rebounds and commit 17 turnovers.

CSS was lead by Derek Steve (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Apollo HS) with 14 points.  Trevor Morlock (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS (Minn., Crookston)) added 12 points off of the bench, including 4-of-6 from downtown.  Cole Mortel (Luck, Wis./Luck HS) added 10 points as well.

The Saints finished the game shooting 46-percent from the field, 43-percent from beyond the arc, and 80-percent from the free-throw line.  The Saints were able to garner 34 rebounds, but committed 18 turnovers.  CSS had its largest lead of the game, 12 points, in the latter stages of the second half.

St. Scholastica (5-9, 3-0) will take its unbeaten conference record on the road this coming weekend as they travel to Martin Luther College on Friday and then Bethany Lutheran on Saturday.  Friday's contest is scheduled to start at 7:30 local time.  Tune into csssaints.com for updates from these games.