Notables
-Anderson had 14 of his 16 points in the second half
-Newman moves into seventh on program's all-time scoring list.
-Points of Turnovers: CSS-22, NCU-7
-Fast Break Points: CSS-19, NCU-5
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team defeated North Central University (Minn.) 74-72 after
Sam Thompson's (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) game-winning shot in the final seconds.
First Half
Thompson opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, but the Rams quickly responded with a 3-pointer of their own to tie the game. The teams would then trade baskets until the Rams went on a 9-1 run, gaining a 16-8 lead.
Midway through the half, the Saints had cut the Rams' lead to six points and were able to reduce it to just four points by the end of the half at 38-34.
Second Half
The Saints were able to cut the Rams lead to three after a free throw by
Quinn Fischer (Esko, Minn./Esko HS). But the Rams were able to respond with a 3-pointer to make it 41-35 in favor of NCU.
Midway through the half the Saints had reduced NCU's lead to five as the game stood at 50-45. CSS then went on a six-point run capped by a pair of free throws by
Zach Sjoblad (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes HS) to take the lead for the first time in the second half and make it 51-50.
But the Rams responded with a layup to regain their lead until Sjoblad made another pair of free throws to make it 53-52 in favor of CSS. The game was then tied up by the Rams, but
Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) made two layups to give the Saints a four-point lead.
CSS had increased their lead to eight points with 1:57 left on the clock, but the Rams went on an 11-3 run to tie the game at 72-72 with 21 seconds left in the game.
The Saints drained the clock down and after a missed 3-point attempt, Thompson grabbed the rebound and drained a turnaround jump shot to make it 74-72 with 0.2 seconds remaining to secure the victory for the Saints.
Top Performers for CSS
Three Saints reached double figures.
Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) led with 16 points, Newman had 14 and Fischer had 11.
Jarod Wilken (Annandale, Minn./Annandale HS) had eight rebounds.
Top Performers for NCU
Micah Filer led the Rams in scoring with 27 points. Jared High had 19 points and two blocks.
Up Next
The Saints (4-4, 2-1 UMAC) have their final conference game before the Holidays Sunday with a home game against the University of Minnesota Morris. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.
