Notables
-Wilken scored a season-high 23 points
-Rebounds: 43-43; Points Off Turnovers: 11-11; Points in the Paint: 30-30, Second-Chance Points: 10-10
-11 straight wins for Northwestern
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team fought a close battle with the University of Northwestern (Minn.) in which the lead changed eight times in the second half, but were unable to find a final equalizer in a 71-68 loss at Reif Gymnasium on Saturday evening.
First Half
The Saints opened the scoring with a layup, but the Eagles (17-6, 13-1 UMAC) responded with a layup up their own to make it 2-2. They then added a free throw to take the lead, but CSS regained the lead after a 3-pointer by
Quinn Fischer (Esko, Minn./Esko HS).
But the Eagles then went on a 9-5 run to regain the lead, which they would hold onto for the rest of the half. Heading into halftime the game stood at 32-25 in favor of Northwestern.
Second Half
The Saints started off the second half strongly, making it a one-point game after three minutes at 34-33. The teams then traded jumpers and CSS took a 38-36 lead. The Saints would hold onto their lead for 6:03, before Northwestern made a 3-pointer to make it 51-50 with 9:11 left in the game.
The lead would then change four times in the final minutes and with 1:37 remaining the game was tied at 66-66 following a
Jarod Wilken (Annandale, Minn./Annandale HS) 3-pointer. The Eagles then made a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession and a pair of free throws to take a five-point lead with just over one-minute remaining.
Collin Anderson (Eagan, Minn./Eagan HS) made a layup with 56 seconds left on the clock to make it a three-point game. The Saints would get a look at a game-tying 3-pointer, but the attempt would be blocked and the game finished 71-68 in favor of the Eagles.
Top Performers for the Saints
Wilken led the Saints in scoring with a game-high 23 points. Anderson also reached double figures with 22 points and added five assists. Three Saints had seven rebounds;
Zach Sjoblad (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes HS), Fischer and Wilken.
Top Performers for the Eagles
Three Eagles reached double figures; Caleb Hageman had 17, Brady Peterson 13, and Tanner Youngberg put up 11. Youngberg and Hageman also had a game-high nine rebounds.
Up Next
The Saints (13-10, 9-5 UMAC) have their final road game of the regular season on Wednesday against Northland College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
