Notables
-Three CSS players in double figures for points
-Thomas flirts with double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds
-CSS' first ever win over St. Olaf
DULUTH, Minn.
(csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team got back to its winning ways this evening, as the Saints defeated the Oles from St. Olaf, in a close matchup, by a score of 60-53. The win was the Saints' fourth of the season and snapped a seven-game losing streak.
First Half
Fresh of being named the MIAC Defensive Player of the Week,
Nick Carlson (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS) got the scoring started for the Saints, hitting a three-pointer to give CSS an early lead.
Just moments later,
Kevin Thomas (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) converted a layup and two free throws, giving the Saints a 7-2 lead.
Luke Raymond (Hudson, Wis./Concordia Academy (UW-River Falls)) got his name on the scoreboard, off of an offensive board, which he put up for a layup to give CSS momentum, leading 9-2.
The Oles responded, taking a brief lead, until
Isiah Hendrickson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) put back an offensive rebound, to tie the game at 11-11.
The Saints then went on a 7-4 run, headlined by a layup from Carlson, a three-pointer by
Connor Bich (Duluth, Minn./Hermantown HS (Dakota Wesleyan)), and another jumper from
Matho Ojullu (Lakeville, MN/Lakeville North High School (Dakota County Technical College)), to lead 18-15.
Hendrickson found the bottom of the net again with a putback layup, and moments later
Jeff Moore (Richfield, Minn./Richfield HS) hit a big three-pointer, to give CSS a 24-17.
The Saints ended the first half on a high note, as Carlson scored the final buckets, as CSS took a 30-24 lead into the second half.
Second Half
CSS was helped out early in the second half, with layups by Thomas and
Noah Winesett (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS), helped maintain its lead.
Following a layup by Hendrickson, Bich hit another three to extend CSS' lead to 39-34.
Carlson and Winesett both added layups minutes later to keep the Saints ahead leading by five.
Moore gave CSS momentum with a huge three-pointer, followed by a Winesett layup, to give the Saints an eight-point lead, with eight minutes to play.
After St. Olaf trimmed its deficit, Raymond put down a thunderous dunk, which CSS responded big time, as Hendrickson got a three-pointer to go, pushing them closer to victory.
The Saints stepped up big time in the closing minutes, as the Oles sent the Saints to the free throw line, and St. Scholastica did not disappoint, as they iced tonight's game, by a score of 60-53.
Top Performers
Nick Carlson (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS) led the way in scoring for the Saints, recording 15 points in the victory. Hendrickson and Winesett each added 10 points as well.
Kevin Thomas (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) was chairmen of the boards in today's matchup, being the only player in double-figures with 10, leading all players in that category.
Up Next
The Saints (4-11, 3-7 MIAC) will be back in action later this week on Wednesday, as they will travel to Arden Hills, to take on the Royals from Bethel. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
