Notables
-Saints shoot a season-low 33 percent from the floor
-Morris attempted 30 free throws, the most allowed in a regulation game since the 2014-15 season
-Free throws made: UMM-26, CSS-9
-Bench Points: CSS-34, UMM-19
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to take a brief lead in the second half, but it was the University of Minnesota Morris out front at the end by a final of 75-69 at Reif Gymnasium on Sunday.
First Half
The Cougars (4-6, 2-1 UMAC) got on the board first with a layup, before CSS responded with a 3-pointer to make it 3-2 in favor of the Saints. The Cougars responded with a layup and a free throw before
Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) made a pair of free throws to tie the game at 5-5.
Morris then went on a 11-2 run to gain a 16-7 lead, a lead they would maintain for the rest of the half. By the end of the half, Morris had increased their lead to 16 points at 44-28.
Second Half
The teams traded baskets at the start of the second half and with 11:22 left on the clock Morris was still in front 52-42. CSS then went on a 17-5 run capped off by a 3-pointer by
Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) to give the Saints a 59-57 lead with less than eight minutes remaining.
Nick Carlson (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS) also had a pair of 3-pointers during the run
But the Cougars responded with a 3-pointer of their own to retake the lead. The Cougars added a pair of free throws to increase their lead to three, before CSS responded with another Anderson 3-pointer to tie the game at 62-62 with 6:38 left in the game.
However, Morris then outscored the Saints 10-3 over the next five minutes to regain the lead and ultimately win the game 75-69.
Top Performances for CSS
Three Saints reached double figures;
Quinn Fischer (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) and
Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) each had 16 and Anderson added 14 points. Newman and Fischer also both led in rebounds; Newman with nine and Fischer with six. Newman also had six assists.
Top Performances for UMM
Noah Grove led five Cougars in double-figures with 13 points.
Up Next
The Saints (4-5, 2-2 UMAC) return to action Friday, December 28 for the Nicolet National Bank Holiday Tournament in De Pere, Wisconsin. The Saints will take on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls beginning at 5 p.m.
