Notables
-UMAC Game of the Week
-Vikings opened the game with 12 consecutive points
-Newman has scored in double digits in all of the first eight games
-Wilken collects first collegiate double-double
-CSS never led in the contest
DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica men's basketball team trailed by as much as 20 in the second half, but had a look at a tying 3-pointer as time expired that was off the mark falling 65-62 on Saturday against Bethany Lutheran College in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Game of the Week.
The Action
The first half was a tough one for CSS. The Vikings (4-5, 2-0 UMAC) scored the first 12 points of the game until Connor Gray (Superior, Wis./Superior HS) hit a layup and put the Saints on the board. The Saints went on a 12-1 run with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half to get within seve, but the Vikings responded with three straight 3-pointers. The Vikings held the lead for the entire half, and the teams went into halftime with BLC leading by 15 with a score of 38-23. St. Scholastica shot only 22 percent from the floor in the half.
The Saints found themselves playing catch-up in the second half. Nate Weets (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet HS) hit the first points of the half, answered by seven consecutive points from the Vikings to make the margin 20. The Saints found their stride after that and outscored the Vikings 17-5 in the next nine minutes to get within eight.
Three-point-plays by Connor Gray (Superior, Wis./Superior HS) and Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) made it a four-point game with 1:31 remaining. The Saints were only behind by two points with a score of 64-62 after a 3-pointer from Jarod Wilken (Annandale, Minn./Annandale HS) with 14 seconds left. The Saints pressed the Vikings hard, but could not get the ball back. CSS was forced to foul with 10 seconds left on the clock. The Vikings made one-of-two from the line so the Saints had a chance to tie it. CSS would get a good look from Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS), but it would not fall as Bethany Lutheran hung on for the 65-62 victory.
Notable Performances
Newman and Wilken led the offense with 13 points each. This is Newman's eighth game in a row scoring double digit points. Nate Weets (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet HS) was just behind them with nine points. Wilken also pulled in 10 rebounds to earn his first collegiate double-double.
Three of the Vikings earned double digit points. Neil Eichten led the way with 15 points, followed by Jake Dale with 14, and Blake Lindstrom with 13. Brady Rose collected 10 rebounds.
Up Next
The Saints (3-5, 1-1 UMAC) hit the court again for another UMAC matchup when they take on North Central University (Minn.) on Wednesday in the Reif Gym. The game is set for 5:30 p.m.
