Notables
-Washington scores 19 points, records three blocks
-Thomas scores season-high 14 points
-Overstreet records six assists
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team fell tonight in heartbreaking fashion against the Royals from Bethel in a conference matchup. With both teams going back-and-forth all night, the Royals hit a game-winning three-pointer in the closing seconds, defeating CSS by a score of 80-78.
How it Happened
Jacquez Overstreet (Appleton, Wis./Oshkosh West (Marian University)) and Tanner Thomson (Woodbury, Minn./Stillwater HS) got the Saints offense started this evening, with Overstreet getting a jumper to fall, and Thomson drilling a shot from beyond-the-arc, as the Royals jumped out to a quick 11-6 lead.
Thomson scored two of the next three field goals for the Saints, with a layup from Koy Nelson (Port Wing, Wis./South Shore HS) being the other field goal, as the Saints trailed 15-12.
Moe Washington (Silver Spring, Md./Hibbing Community College) got his night started with a three-pointer that brought the deficit to four, and a few possessions later, Luke Raymond (Hudson, Wis./Concordia Academy (UW-River Falls)) scored on a layup assisted by Washington, making the score 20-17.
After Washington and Raymond both scored on jumpers, Jeff Moore (Richfield, Minn./Richfield HS) scored on a fastbreak layup coming on a steal and assist from Overstreet. Washington would hit another three-pointer moments later to bring the score to within one point.
The Saints took its first lead of the night on the ensuing possession, when Kevin Thomas (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) hit a three-pointer and on the next possession for the Saints, Andre Crockett Jr. (Rochester, Minn./Mayo HS (Rochester Community College)) scored on a jumper, giving CSS a 31-27 lead.
Another three-pointer from both Thomas and Washington, as well as a dunk from Washington, gave CSS a 39-30 lead over the Royals with a little under three minutes to play in the half.
St. Scholastica closed out the first half with baskets from Aaron Keykal (Princeton, Minn./Princeton HS), Crockett Jr., and Overstreet, taking a 45-37 lead heading into the half.
Thomas picked up right where he left off to begin the second half, scoring the first two field goals for the Saints, including a three-pointer, to give CSS a nine-point lead.
CSS was able to get jumpers from Noah Winesett (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) and Crockett Jr. minutes later to maintain a small lead over the Royals.
A jumper from Washington and a three-pointer from Nelson helped keep CSS in front, leading 64-56.
After a Nelson layup moments later, Moore would step up big for the Saints, hitting a three-pointer and getting a layup to fall, as the Saints led by seven with six minutes to play.
Washington scored the next two field goals for the Saints, both coming from layups, but the Royals clawed its way back to reclaim the lead with two minutes to play.
In a clutch situation for the Saints trailing by one, Thomas hit a much needed three-pointer to give CSS a 78-77 lead with 24 seconds to play.
On the final possession of the night, it would be the Royals who would get the last laugh, hitting a three-pointer in the closing seconds to give Bethel an 80-78 victory over the Saints tonight.
Up Next
The Saints (2-20, 1-15) will be back in action on Saturday, where they will host the Oles from St. Olaf at the Reif Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
