Notables
-Bethany the reigning UMAC Tournament Champions
-CSS improves to 5-0 all-time vs. BLC in the UMAC Tournament
-CSS matches single-game program record with nine blocks
-Newman moves into second all-time on the program's career scoring list (1,525)
MANKATO, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team shot 57 percent in the second half and put up 60 points to erase a five-point halftime deficit and defeat second-seeded Bethany Lutheran College on the road for the second time in three years 95-88 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament semifinal Thursday night.
How it Happened
The first half saw the Vikings (18-8) lead throughout the half and led by as much as 11 with less two minutes remaining. However, the Saints closed the half with 3-pointers from
Nick Carlson (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS) and
Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) to cut the margin to 40-35 at the break. Bethany shot 55 percent from the floor in the first half, while the Saints were held to 39 percent.
Carlson began the second half with a layup to continue the 8-0 run and cut the lead to three. Bethany continued to hold a slight advantage until Anderson drained a 3-pointer to give CSS a one-point lead.
Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) then played a big role in a stretch where the Saints opened up a lead. Newman had a three-point-play and hit two 3-pointers.
The Saints led by 10 in the final four minutes, but Bethany would attempt a furious comeback and would cut the CSS lead to three points with just over a minute to play. However, the Saints would go 9-for-10 from the free throw line in the final minute and victory was capped off with a
Jarod Wilken (Annandale, Minn./Annandale HS) dunk as the Saints came away with a 95-88 victory.
Top Performers for CSS
Newman led the Saints with 25 points, including 19 points in the second half. Newman also led with nine rebounds. Wilken finished with 16 points, Anderson had 13 points,
Quinn Fischer (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) added 11 points and
Sam Thompson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) had 10 points.
Top Performers for BLC
Cire Mayfield led the Vikings with 15 points. Trenton Krueger had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Up Next
The Saints (16-10) advance to Saturday's UMAC Tournament championship where it travels to face a familiar foe in the University of Northwestern (Minn.). Northwestern handled Crown College in the other semifinal this evening. Tip-time is currently scheduled for 7 p.m.
