Notables
-With tonight's victory, CSS has secured at least the fourth seed in the playoffs
-Fischer finishes with a season-high 27 points
-Thompson finishes with seven 3-pointers, a career-high 23 points
-CSS led by 25 with 13:38 remaining
ASHLAND, Wis. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team used a 21-point advantage at halftime to hold off a late charge by Northland College to earn a 94-86 victory Wednesday night.
How it Happened
Sam Thompson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) opened the scoring with a 3-pointer 18 seconds into the game to give CSS an early lead. Northland (9-15, 7-8 UMAC) responded with a 3-pointer of their own and a jumper to take their first and only lead of the game. The Saints quickly took the lead back thanks to a 3-pointer by
Nate Weets (Cloquet, Minn./Cloquet HS).
The Saints would then go on a 22-6 run to earn a lead of 25-11 with 10:42 left in the half. In the final 10 minutes of the half, Thompson and
Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) combined to score 19 of CSS' 26 points as the Saints led 51-30 at the break.
A
Quinn Fischer (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) layup gave the Saints a 65-40 advantage with 14 minutes remaining. However, Northland then began to chip away. In less than four minutes the LumberJacks went on an 18-2 run to cut the margin to nine with 9:45 remaining. The Jacks had made it a six-point game three times in the final minutes and got it down to five in the final minute, but were unable to make it a one possession game. The game finished 94-86 in favor of CSS.
Top Performers for CSS
Fischer led the Saints in scoring with a season-high 27 points. Thompson put up a career-high 23 points, 21 of which came from 3-pointers. Anderson and
Jarod Wilken (Annandale, Minn./Annandale HS) also reached double figures, putting up 15 and 13 points, respectively. Anderson is now just two points away from reaching 1,000 career points. Wilken also had eight rebounds and six assists.
Top Performers for Northland
Three Jacks put up double figures; Brandon Galland and Modesta Britten both had 23 while Benny Larry Jr. had 16. Britten also had 11 rebounds.
Up Next
The Saints (14-10, 10-5 UMAC) welcome Crown College to the Reif this Saturday for the final game of the regular chance and an opportunity to secure the third seed in the UMAC Tournament. The Senior Day tip-off is set for 4:45 p.m.
