Notables
-Sixth UMAC Regular Season title in program history (final year in the UMAC)
-UMAC Game of the Week
-CSS shot 60% in the second half
-CSS has scored at least 50 points in the second half in three of the last four games
MANAKTO, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to capture its first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season title since the 2015-16 season, defeating Bethany Lutheran College 83-80 Saturday.
How It Happened
The Saints led for only 14 seconds in the first half as the Vikings (4-3, 3-3 UMAC) went on a 14-0 run halfway through the first half. Bethany led by double figures for much of the final 10 minutes of the first half and led 43-31 at halftime. CSS shot just 39% in the first half and were outscored in the paint 24-14.
Within the first four minutes of the second half, the Saints cut the Bethany lead to four with
Jack Silgen (Deerwood, Minn./Crosby-Ironton HS (St. Thomas)) scoring seven points during that span. A
Quinn Fischer (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) jumper gave the Saints the lead with 14 minutes to go. Moments later a
Nick Carlson (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS) 3-pointer spurred a 12-2 run as the Saints led by 10 with less than 12 minutes remaining.
The margin grew to as much as 12 with 5:27 left, but the Vikings made one last push and would have a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation. However, the buzzer sounded before shot could get off and the Saints came out with a 83-80 victory.
Top Performers
Carlson scored 26 points to lead all scorers, including 20 alone in the second half. Fischer finished with 20 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Silgen added 14 points.
Cade Goggleye (Nett Lake, Minn./North Woods HS) recorded a career-high 10 assists.
Up Next
The Saints (8-0, 7-0 UMAC) had a game added to schedule prior to next week's UMAC Tournament as they will host Crown College in a non-conference game on Monday beginning at 7:15 p.m. at the Reif Gymnasium.
