Notables
-CSS outscores UWS 19-7 in the final six minutes
-CSS snaps a two-game losing skid to the Yellowjackets
-Lowest scoring winning total in the series since 2016
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team went on a 9-0 run in the final two minutes thanks in large part to back-to-back 3-pointers by
Quinn Fischer (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) to pull away from Bridge Rival University of Wisconsin-Superior, winning 69-60 Wednesday night at the Reif Gymnasium.
How It Happened
Neither team led by more than five points in the first half as it featured five ties and six lead changes. CSS was up five a couple times early following a 3-pointer by Fischer and layup by
Isiah Hendrickson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS). However, following the Hendrickson layup, the Yellowjackets (1-3) went on a 9-0 run to take a four-point lead midway through the first half.
After back-and-forth action for the latter part of the first half, the Saints regained the lead in the final minute as Fischer drained a 3-pointer and then
Jack Silgen (Deerwood, Minn./Crosby-Ironton HS (St. Thomas)) raced down the court and converted a layup as the buzzer sounded to give St. Scholastica a 32-28 halftime advantage.
Noah Winesett (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) led the Saints with 11 points in the first half.
CSS opened up a seven-point lead early in the second half following a technical foul on Superior. However, the Yellowjackets would chip away and tie the contest at 44-44 with 13 minutes remaining. UWS would take a 3-point lead following a 3-point-play with six minutes remaining.
The Saints then went on an 8-0 run with five minutes left to take a 58-53 lead. After UWS cut the lead down to three, Fischer drained a 3-pointer with 2:30 remaining and then a dagger of a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired with less than a minute left to run the margin to nine points. That would be the final margin as UWS made only two field goals in final six minutes and CSS outscored the 'jackets 19-7 during that stretch to win 69-60.
Top Performers
Fischer finished with a game-high 20 points, while also grabbing 10 rebounds for a double-double. Silgen also had a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Winesett poured in 14 points, while
Nick Carlson (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS) had 10 points and a team-high four assists.
J'Vaun Walker and Eli Vogel each had 14 points to lead the Yellowjackets.
Up Next
The Saints (1-1) remain at home Saturday when they host Saint John's University in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) opener. Tip time is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Reif Gymnasium.
