Notables
-CSS had seven players score in double-figures
-Johnson and Dahlman combine for 23 points in the second half
-CSS was 18-of-20 from the free throw line
-Points Off Turnovers: CSS 30, Finlandia 12

---

HANCOCK, Mich. (csssaints.com) -- The St. Scholastica men's basketball beat out Finlandia University (Mich.) 94-87 on Saturday in non-conference action.

The Action
In the first half, Dylan Zimmerman (Elmdale, Minn./Upsala HS) got the Saints on board first with a good layup, taking a small 2-0 lead. The Lions would manage to tie up the game at 6-6, but Kory Deadrick (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) netted a good three-pointer to put CSS ahead 9-6.

St. Scholastica would lead at times by as much as five points, but the Lions would manage to tie the game up 16-16 with three minutes left to go in the first half. Mitch Liebert (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) would net a good layup to put CSS in the lead 18-16.

The Saints would continue to lead until there was four minutes left in the period, where Finlandia took the lead 32-31 for the first time in the game by netting a good layup. Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) shot a good three-pointer to put the score at 35-33 and the Saints back in the lead. However, the Lions would also get a three-pointer to put their team at 36-35 and back up front. Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) would change the score again in favor of Saints 37-36 with a three-pointer. But with two minutes left in the first half, the Lions would get a good jumper to change the score again and put them ahead. The first quarter would end with a score of 45-41, in favor of Finlandia.

In the second half, Finlandia led by as much as eight on a couple of occasions and would continue to lead until the last five minutes of the game, when Zach Dahlman (Braham, Minn./Braham HS) shot a good jumper in the paint. With the score now 76-75 in favor of CSS, St. Scholastica would maintain a small but steady lead. The period would end 94-87, with CSS taking the win.

Notable Performances
Newman had the most points for CSS, with 16. Julius Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) netted 15. Johnson also made all of the free throws he attempted, 6 out of 6. Newman and Dahlman made four out of four free throw attempts. Joe Stark (Hayward, Wis./Hayward HS) and Liebert each added 10 points off the bench.

Finlandia's Nick Cercone scored 18 points, the most for his team.

Up Next
The Saints (12-8, 8-3 UMAC) host Bethany Lutheran College at the Reif Gym on Friday, February 3. This conference game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.