DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team enters the weekend tied for the fourth and final UMAC Tournament spot, a game behind third and a game ahead of sixth and being eliminated from postseason contention.
Game Times:
Friday at North Central – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at Northwestern – 5 p.m.
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St. Scholastica Saints
Record: 9-14 (6-6 UMAC)
Head Coach: David Staniger |
- The Saints split last weekend with a 75-63 win over Crown College only to fall short to University of Minnesota Morris the following day 84-69 on senior night.
-Both of CSS's opponents this weekend have something to play for. North Central sits in sixth and needs two wins to get in contention. Northwestern is at the top of the conference, but only by a game.
-The Saints are tied with Bethany Lutheran in fourth and Crown is a game ahead in third. BLC and Crown face each other on Saturday. Various tiebreaker scenarios are likely to occur this weekend
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Jake Naslund (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) is coming off a solid weekend as he averaged 17.5 points in the two games. He was 6-for-9 from beyond the arc against Morris on Saturday.
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LaMonte Hall (Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle HS (Saint Mary’s)) averaged 12.5 points per game last weekend.
- However, CSS was only 22-for-40 from the free throw line last weekend and have been out-rebounded in each of the last four games.
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North Central University Rams
Record: 11-10 (5-7 UMAC)
Head Coach: Jon High |
- North Central is hoping to continue a three-game winning streak after a successful weekend against Martin Luther College and Bethany Lutheran College this past weekend.
-The Rams sit in sixth place in the league, but are just a game behind CSS and Bethany Lutheran for fourth.
- Leading for Rams and also fourth in the UMAC is Luke Chafin scoring 15.9 points per game.
- North Central has four players scoring double digits on average with Bryce Burkman, Jon High, and Juice Washington at 13.4, 11.1, and 10.0 points per game apiece.
-The Rams also welcome back Jordan Harrell, who missed some time for injury, including the first meeting with the Saints. In the four games that he has been back, Harrell is averaging 9.3 points per game.
- Burkman also leads the UMAC in field goal percentage at 59 percent.
- The Rams also lead the UMAC in steals per game at 8.4 and blocks per game at 3.4 per game.
Series History: (CSS is 18-6 vs. North Central)
-The Saints are looking for redemption after a 71-51 loss a few weeks ago in Duluth. |
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University of Northwestern Eagles
Record: 13-10 (10-2 UMAC)
Head Coach: Tim Grosz |
- Northwestern is on a five-game winning streak after an equally successful weekend against Martin Luther and Bethany Lutheran.
-The Eagles are on top of the UMAC and are in search of their fourth regular season title in the last five seasons.
- Leading Northwestern is Michael Carney at 13.5 points per game followed by Will Grisler and Steven Willy with 12 and 10.6 points each. Carney is fifth in the UMAC for points per game.
- The Eagles have four players holding spots in 3-point percentage. Grisler leads the UMAC at 42 percent followed by Carney in fourth at 41 percent and Blake Van Maanen in fifth at 41 percent.
- Northwestern leads the UMAC in 3-point shots made per game at 9.4 along with 3-point percentage at 42.3 percent on average.
- They also play well defensively holding opponents to the lowest scores in the UMAC averaging only 61.5 points per game and fouling only 11.8 times per game. They are ranked fourth in NCAA Division III in fewest personal fouls per game.
Series History: (CSS is 24-45 vs. Northwestern)
-The Saints are on a five-game losing streak against Northwestern, including an 85-65 loss earlier this season. |
