Box Score | Listen to Archived Game

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Saint John's made six of eight free throws in the final minute of regulation to defeat Macalester 81-79 on Wednesday, Feb. 9, in St. Paul.

The Johnnies (11-10, 7-9 MIAC) ended the game 19 of 25 from the charity stripe and shot 55.6 percent (15-27) in the second half. SJU's 11-point halftime lead lost its luster, however, as Macalester (2-19, 2-14 MIAC) made nine three-pointers (60.0 percent) in the second half, including three in the final 25 seconds. SJU led by as much as 15 late in the second half, and by 13 with 5:32 left. The Scots went on a 15-2 run to cut the deficit to as close as two with 1:35 remaining.

Seniors Todd Herman (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) and Nermin Hujdurovic (Tuzla, Bosnia/Medical), and junior Andy Burns (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) led SJU with 16 points apiece. Hujdurovic was a rebound shy of a double-double and added four blocks. Senior Aaron Burtzel (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori) posted 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Justin Wasik led Macalester with 18 points, thanks to four three's. Pierce Peters and Colin Jarvis followed with 17 and 14 points, respectively.

SJU shot 53.6 percent to the Scots' 38.5 percent. Mac picked up the slack by tallying 19 points off the Johnnies' nine turnovers and collected 19 points off 19 offensive rebounds.

The Johnnies return home to host Concordia this Saturday, Feb. 12. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Sexton Arena in Collegeville. SJU is 42-5 against the Cobbers at home under the direction of head coach Jim Smith, who improved to 724-509 in 47 seasons at SJU. He now needs one more victory to pass longtime DePaul head coach Ray Meyer for 23rd in college basketball history.