Notables
-First time scoring 100 since 1/13/2007
-CSS tied a program record with 15 3-pointers and the most since 1/7/2005
-CSS scored 57 points in the first half, most points in a half since 11/30/2004
-Newman scored a team-high 18 points and hit 3-of-4 from three.
-Laughlin led the team in rebounds with seven
-St. Scholastica's bench outscored Bethany Lutheran's 44-29.

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MANKATO, Minn. (csssaints.com) -- The St. Scholastica men's basketball team defeated Bethany Lutheran College Saturday, breaking into triple digits to win 103-88 at North Gymnasium.
 
With Saturday's victory over a UMAC opponent CSS improved to a 4-2 record and are 2-0 in the conference.
 
The Action
The Saints and Vikings looked evenly matched to start the first half, going back-and-forth on the scoreboard, but it was St. Scholastica's consistency that allowed the team to stay on top. The Saints never trailed past the 18:30 mark of the first half. Halfway through the first period CSS led 32-20 and began to pull away from Bethany Lutheran to extend their lead to 22 by the end of the first half. The Saints shot 61 percent from the floor in the first half, making nine 3-pointers.
 
Individual Play
Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) provided substantial offensive play in the first half and continued to do so throughout the remainder of the game, ending the day with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field, while also knocking down 3-of-4 from 3-point range. Andrew Laughlin (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Central HS) and Zach Dahlman (Braham, Minn./Braham HS) dominated the glass for the Saints, Laughlin grabbing seven rebounds and Dahlman with six.
 
Vikings Fight Back
St. Scholastica continued with solid play in the second half, but Bethany Lutheran made it interesting. After about four minutes into the period the Vikings got hot and went on a 12-0 run to bring them within 10 and in striking distance of CSS. 
 
Pulling Away
It was Jake Naslund (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) who stepped in and stopped the bleeding with a quick layup and a successful 3-pointer to extend the lead back to 15.
 
Although the game never turned into a blowout St. Scholastica was able to keep at least a 10-point lead through most of the remaining time, keeping Bethany Lutheran at bay until the final buzzer sounded.
 
As a team CSS recorded a 55 percent field goal percentage, 52 percent from three, and the bench provided solid back up outscoring the Vikings bench 44-29. Unselfish play proved to be a difference maker as well with the Saints recording 19 assists to Bethany Lutheran's eight.
 
Up Next
The Saints will be at home Friday as they host Northland College in the Reif Gymnasium. The action will take place at 5:30 p.m.