Notables
-CSS made its final 21 free throw attempts of the game (finished 25-27)
-Newman has recorded at least 20 points in four of the last five games
-The previous two meetings between the two teams had gone to OT
ASHLAND, Wis. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team was 22-of-23 from the foul line in the second half as it turned a one-point halftime deficit into a 90-81 victory Friday night at Northland College.
Good Shooting in the First Half
Both the Saints and the LumberJacks shot over 60 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes of action. Both teams also combined for nine 3-point field goals in the half.
A
Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) 3-pointer with 11 minutes left in the half gave the Saints an 11-point lead. After the LumberJacks got the margin back to four, CSS climbed it back to nine following a
Julius Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) jumper.
The Saints led by seven in the final two minutes, but Northland closed the period with an 8-0 run that including a layup, a three-point-play and then a 3-pointer to give the 'Jacks a 45-44 halftime advantage.
CSS in Front in the Second Half
St. Scholastica regained the lead on the first possession of the second half on a
Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) three-point-play. After Northland tied the contest for a fourth time two minutes into the half, the Saints went on a 7-0 run, five points scored by Newman.
The LumberJacks got back within two on a few occasions, but CSS held on to the lead. An Anderson 3-pointer extended the margin to nine with less than six minutes remaining. Northland would only get within four the rest of the way as the Saints were solid from the free throw line to win by a final of 90-81.
Top Performances for CSS
Newman led all scorers with 23 points. Johnson finished with 17 points, 11 of which came in the first half. Anderson added 10 points off the bench.
Kory Deadrick (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
Top Performances for the Opponent
Rijo Jackson scored 21 points to lead the LumberJacks. Dan Campion added 16 points. Jackson and Campion combined for all nine of the Northland's 3-point field goals. Thomas Whiting finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Up Next
The Saints (11-8, 8-3 UMAC) will have their final non-conference game of the season tomorrow when they play at Finlandia University (Mich.). Tip time is scheduled for 6 p.m. (ET). Coverage of the game can be found at
www.csssaints.com/coverage.aspx
