DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St, Scholastica men's basketball team looks finish the regular season strong and qualify for the UMAC Tournament as it hosts North Central University Friday and Northwestern College Saturday.
Game Schedule: (Game Day Media)
Friday vs. North Central – 7:30 p.m.
(Live Video & Stats on Saints Sports Net | Alternate Live Stats)
Saturday vs. Northwestern – 5 p.m.
(Live Video & Stats on Saints Sports Net | Alternate Live Stats)
About the Saints
Record: 8-15, 6-6 UMAC
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The Saints are currently in fifth place in the UMAC standings, a game back of Minnesota Morris for the fourth and final tournament spot.
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The Saints must win both contests this weekend to be in contention.
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Trevor Morlock (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS (Minn., Crookston)) and Brett Tester (Andover, Minn./Andover HS) have been playing well for the Saints as of late. This past weekend, Morlock averaged 19 points and eight rebounds per game, while Tester averaged 19.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest.
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Tester moved up to third on the school's all-time scoring list on Saturday and currently sits 25 points shy of 1,500 career points. He is also just nine rebounds shy from moving up to second on the program list.
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Tester will be one of five seniors honored on Senior Day Saturday. Jonah Dahlman (Braham, Minn./Braham HS), MarShaan Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./Minneapolis North HS (Minneapolis Comm. & Tech. College)), Pat Franko (Rochester, Minn./Rochester Century HS) and Matt Feuling (Foley, Minn./Foley HS) will be the others.
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The Saints have struggled from the free throw line, shooting 65.6 percent on the season and converting on just 51.2 percent of their free throws last weekend.
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CSS is 7-2 in games where it scores at least 70 points and 6-2 when it makes at least seven 3-pointers.
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In their eight wins this season, the Saints are averaging 77.0 points per game and only 59.3 in the losses.
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The Saints shot at or above 50 percent in both games last weekend, but were just 2-for-13 on 3-point attempts vs. Minnesota Morris.
About the Rams
Record: 13-9, 8-4 UMAC
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The Rams look to rebound from an 86-55 loss at Bethany Lutheran last Saturday afternoon and look to remain in second place in the UMAC standings with a pair of wins this weekend.
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NCU has been an offensive force this season, anchored by senior Nathan Roeder, who leads the UMAC in scoring with 24.2 points per game. That number is good enough for sixth in NCAA Division III.
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The Rams also have three other scorers averaging in double-digits. Sophomore Jordan Harrell averages 14.3 ppg (good for fifth in the UMAC), while junior Bryce Burkman averages 13.1 ppg and 7.4 rpg. Freshman Luke Chafin also chips in 13.4 ppg.
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NCU leads the UMAC in scoring, averaging 79.0 points per game and is second in field goal percentage (.483). NCU is also tied for first with 8.3 steals per game.
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North Central is just 2-3 in its last five games.
Series History: (CSS is 17-5 vs. North Central)
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The Saints have won five of the past eight contests against the Rams, but fell to North Central on the road by a score of 77-61 earlier this season.
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CSS is 10-1 all-time against the Rams at the Reif.
About the Eagles
Record: 17-6, 10-2 UMAC
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Northwestern can clinch the UMAC regular season title with one victory this weekend. The Eagles will play at last place Northland College on Friday night.
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The Eagles enter the weekend on a three-game winning streak. After defeating Minnesota Morris 70-67 at home two weeks ago, Northwestern won a pair of crucial road games, squeaking by Bethany Lutheran 89-86 and beating Martin Luther 74-62 last Friday and Saturday.
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Northwestern sports a balanced offensive attack, with three players averaging over 12 points per contest. Wade Chitwood leads the way for the Eagles with 17.3 points per game, while Lance Westberg averages 11.4 and Tom Gisler chips in 9.3, respectively.
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Gisler was named UMAC Player of the Week this week for his eight 3-pointers last weekend in a pair of wins over Bethany Lutheran and Martin Luther. Gisler averaged 19.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in those two games.
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Northwestern leads the UMAC in made 3-pointers (10.5 per game) and percentage (.427) in league games.
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The Eagles also average over 19 assists per game, while turning it over just 10.6 times per contest. Both are good for first in the UMAC.
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The Eagles are 7-1 on the road, their only road loss coming in early December to Luther College (Iowa).
Series History: (CSS is 24-43 vs. Northwestern)
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The Saints have lost seven of the past nine contests against the Eagles, most recently a 70-68 loss on the road in late January.
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The last time the two teams met in Duluth, the Saints won handily over the Eagles 71-51.
