Box Score | Listen to Archived Game | Photos (Brace Hemmelgarn)
Post-Game Interviews:
-Barmore, Burns & Smith (1:38)
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's earned a trip to the MIAC Playoffs with a 65-56 win on Senior Day over Concordia-Moorhead on Saturday, Feb. 18.
The victory, coupled with wins from Bethel (over Gustavus) and St. Thomas, gives the Johnnies the No. 5 seed in the playoffs and a date at Augsburg on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Si Melby Hall in Minneapolis.
SJU (15-10, 11-9 MIAC) ended the first half on a 9-2 run to take a 30-25 lead into halftime. The Johnnies shot 50.0 percent (11-for-22) to the Cobbers' 31.0 percent (9-for-29) in the game's opening half, but Concordia (7-18, 5-15 MIAC) turned eight offensive rebounds into nine second-chance points to keep the game close.
The Johnnies led by as much as 14 with 15:42 remaining, but Concordia tied the game at 47-47 courtesy of a 20-6 Cobber run with 6:30 left. Back-to-back jumpers from Andrew Martinson and layup from Johnathon Molina gave the visitors their first lead, 53-52, since the 3:55 mark of the first half.
The lead was short-lived, however, as SJU retaliated with a 13-4 run to end the game. Sophomore Seth Marx (Maple Grove, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) gave the lead back to the Johnnies for good with a three-pointer, his fourth of the game, with 3:29 left. SJU proceeded to end the game 8-for-8 from the free-throw line to seal the victory. The Cobbers missed six of their last seven shots to end the game.
Senior Andy Burns (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) led all scorers with 19 points, while classmate Aaron Barmore (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) added 18 points. The two combined for a 12-for-17 day from the floor, as well as an 11-for-13 performance at the free-throw line. Marx added 16 points and sophomore Kevin McKenzie (De Pere, Wis./Notre Dame Academy) chipped in four points and five assists.
Jason Huus led the Cobbers with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Martinson added 15 points off the bench.
With the win, head coach Jim Smith moved into sole possession of 20th in college basketball history with a 742-520 record in 48 seasons at SJU. He is now 69-30 all-time against Concordia, including a 44-5 record in Collegeville.
