Notables
-Moore breaks out for season-high 14 points
-Carlson leads CSS with seven rebounds to go along with two blocks
-First ever matchup between these programs
RIVER FALLS, Wis.
(csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team played its first game in the River Falls Classic, held in River Falls, Wisconsin, this afternoon against the Warhawks from UW-Whitewater. The Saints trailed by 10 at halftime and although the Saints outscored the Warhawks in the second half, they were unable to make a comeback, falling in today's match up by a score of 66-60.
First Half
Early on, the Saints were led by
Luke Raymond (Hudson, Wis./Concordia Academy (UW-River Falls)), as the junior forward was able to get two early jumpers to fall, as CSS trailed in the opening minutes.
Following a five-minute scoring drought,
Connor Bich (Duluth, Minn./Hermantown HS (Dakota Wesleyan)) was able to hit his first three-pointer of the season, as Bich made his first appearance in today's game, to trim the deficit to 12-7.
Jeff Moore (Richfield, Minn./Richfield HS) got his first bucket of the game just a minute later, followed up by a
Noah Winesett (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) three-pointer, made the game 14-13 in favor of the Warhawks.
CSS was able to tie the game at 15-15 with a
Matho Ojullu (Lakeville, MN/Lakeville North High School (Dakota County Technical College)) jumper with roughly 10 minutes to play in the first half.
After the Warhawks reclaimed its lead, Moore hit three-pointers on back-to-back possessions, as the Saints took its first lead of the afternoon, leading 21-19.
Nick Carlson (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS) etched his name into the scorebook with seven minutes to play, as he scored on a jumpshot and later scored on a later possession off an offensive rebound by Winesett, as CSS trailed 26-15.
The Warhawks went on a 13-4 run to end the half, as St. Scholastica trailed 39-29 at halftime.
Second Half
Opening up the second half, Carlson scored a three-pointer on the Saints' first possession, followed by jumpers from
Kevin Thomas (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) and Raymond, as CSS trimmed its deficit, trailing by five.
Two minutes later, Thomas converted an and-one to trail by just two points and
Isiah Hendrickson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) got his first score of the night to tie the game at 41-41.
CSS reclaimed the lead with 12 minutes to play as Bich hit another three-pointer and Winesett added another jumper on the ensuing possession to give CSS a two-point lead.
With roughly 11 minutes to play, Moore scored on a fastbreak layup, which forced a Warhawks timeout, as CSS added to its lead.
Just a minute later, Raymond and Winesett contributed again, Raymond with a layup, Winesett with a three-pointer, as the Saints held a five-point lead.
UW-Whitewater took back the lead with five minutes to play, but CSS responded, as Winesett got another jumper to fall.
In the closing minutes of the game, the Warhawks pulled away, as CSS could not make a late attempt to reclaim the lead, as UW-Whitewater defeated the Saints in the opening game of the River Falls Classic, by a score of 66-60.
Top Performers
Jeff Moore (Richfield, Minn./Richfield HS) led the Saints in scoring this afternoon, adding 14 points in the loss.
Nick Carlson (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS) led CSS on the boards today, recording seven rebounds while also tallying two blocks.
Up Next
The Saints (3-6, 2-3 MIAC) will conclude the River Falls Classic tomorrow evening, as they will take on UW-River Falls at 5 p.m.
