St. Paul, Minn. – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team wrapped up a three-game road series this evening against the Royals from Bethel University. CSS was able to jump out to an early lead, leading by seven points at halftime, and crucial free throws down the home stretch helped guarantee a Saints victory by a score of 76-66. 

How it Happened

First Half

The Saints got their offense started this evening with a layup courtesy of Drelyn Jones (Leyden, Il./Leyden Highschool) and a three-pointer from Koy Nelson (Port Wing, Wis./South Shore HS), giving the Saints an early lead. 

After the Royals took a brief lead, Aaron Keykal (Princeton, Minn./Princeton HS) got his night started with a driving layup, and Nelson contributed his second three-pointer of the game, putting CSS back in front 10-7. 

The next four CSS points came from Jacquez Overstreet (Appleton, Wis./Oshkosh West (Marian University)), who scored both of his field goals on layups, with assists going to Andre Crockett Jr. (Rochester, Minn./Mayo HS (Rochester Community College)) and Nelson, respectively. 

Crockett Jr. got a basket of his own to fall, as well as Nelson who continued to add to his total, as the Saints led 18-7 midway through the half. 

Minutes later, Kai Penney (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo Highschool) nailed his first three-pointer of the contest to make the score 21-7. 

The Royals were able to get themselves back into the contest on a brief run before Jones and Crockett Jr. both got layups to fall, with CSS still in front 29-23.

Penney would score the final field goal for CSS in the opening half, as the Saints took a 32-25 lead into the halftime break. 

Second Half

Moe Washington (Silver Spring, Md./Hibbing Community College) scored the first points to begin the second half for CSS, as Nelson cashed in his fifth assist in the process. 

A hook shot from Keykal and a layup from Overstreet moments later would push the Saints' lead to 38-29 just minutes into the second half. 

Nelson continued to make an impact in the contest, assisting on a Crockett Jr. layup and knocking down a floater to continue to maintain the lead. 

The Saints got a pair of field goals from Keykal and Crockett Jr. around the 11 minute mark to bring their lead back to double-digits. 

Bethel went on a quick 5-0 run to cut their deficit in half, but Nelson would respond with a layup with 9:33 to play. 

Back-to-back three-pointers from Kobe Karels (Cambridge, Minn./Isanti (Aurora University)) and Crockett Jr. helped give CSS their cushion back, as the score sat at 57-46. 

Nelson would add the Saints' next four points on a jumper and a running shot to push the lead to 61-48. 

Keykal and Jones would help add to their total down the home stretch of the contest, with Keykal knocking down a hook shot and Jones adding another three-pointer. 

As the Royals desperately tried to get back into this contest late, free throws from Washington and Overstreet would ultimately put the nail in the coffin, as the Saints captured their seventh victory tonight by a score of 76-66. 

Top Performers

• Koy Nelson (Port Wing, Wis./South Shore HS) recorded his fourth-straight 20 plus point game tonight, as the junior guard recorded 21 points while also logging nine assists and 10 rebounds.
• Aaron Keykal (Princeton, Minn./Princeton HS) finished tonight with a double-double, notching 13 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. 
• Andre Crockett Jr. (Rochester, Minn./Mayo HS (Rochester Community College)) had one of his best performances on the campaign, as the senior guard finished tonight with 13 points while also adding a team-leading two blocks and a steal.
• Drelyn Jones (Leyden, Il./Leyden Highschool) flirted with a double-double in tonight's contest, as the freshman had seven points to go along with 10 rebounds. 

Up Next

The Saints (7-10, 3-5 MIAC) will be back in action this Saturday, January 25, where they will host the Pipers from Hamline. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.