Saint John's sophomore post Lucas Walford (Elko, Minn./New Prague) averaged 12 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks per game as No. 3 SJU (23-2, 19-1 MIAC) went 2-0 on the road in the final week of the regular season. He was named the MIAC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week Feb. 19 for his performance.
The Johnnies became just the sixth team to tally a 19-1 MIAC record or better and eighth team to win the conference by four games or more since the league moved to a 20-game conference schedule in 1983-84.
Walford ended the regular season as the MIAC leader in shooting percentage (.667) and second in both rebounding (10.1 rpg.) and blocked shots (35) in league play. The rebounding average was 0.2 behind Carleton's Kevin Grow, though Walford played an average of seven fewer minutes per game.
The Johnnies host an MIAC Playoff semifinal game at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, in Sexton Arena. The opponent will be decided in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, Feb. 21. SJU will face the lowest remaining seed (either Augsburg, St. Thomas or Carleton).
