Notables
-Wilken records 21 points for the second straight game
-Bench Points: CSS-35, UMM-21
-Saints climb above .500 for the first time this season

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MORRIS, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team built a 17-point second half advantage, but had to hold off the University of Minnesota Morris late to win 78-72 on Saturday in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Game of the Week.    
 
The Action
The opening minutes of the game consisted of equal scoring on both ends of the court. Down 7-6 and four minutes into play, the Saints were able to go on an 8-1 run to pull away from the Cougars. St. Scholastica would maintain its lead until there was just under seven minutes remaining in the half when the Cougars found a spark and went on a 9-1 run of their own to get the 29-28 advantage.
 
 In the next possession, Sam Thompson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) hit a three-pointer to take back a lead. After the sixth tie of the first half, Jarod Wilken (Annandale, Minn./Annandale HS) recorded five straight points and the Saints ultimately went into the locker room with a 43-40 advantage. Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) made four, three-pointers in the first half.
 
To start the second half, the Cougars knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game, though the Saints immediately put a stop to any chance Morris had of getting ahead at the time by initiating a small 6-0 run. After, baskets were traded up to the 13-minute mark.
 
The Saints then scored 13 unanswered points, granting them a 17-point spread. With nine minutes left, the Cougars were able to cut the lead by over half to keep them in the game. With under a minute remaining, the Cougars would only trail by three and would get a look at tying the game, but would be off the mark. The Saints were able to sink a couple free throws and escape the full-court pressure to eventually secure the 78-72 victory. 
 
Top Performers
Wilken had a game-high 21 points, while Anderson was close behind with 20 points. Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) and Chance Larson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Denfeld HS) tallied seven rebounds apiece. Newman also had five assists.
 
Top Performers for the Opponent
Noah Grove had 15 points and Jeffrey Halverson had 10 rebounds. Kenneth Riley added six assists.
 
Up Next
The Saints (10-9, 7-4 UMAC) will face-off against bridge rival University of Wisconsin-Superior on Wednesday night in Superior. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.