Box Score

Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Saint John's made a school-record 17 three-pointers in a 85-64 win at Macalester, the Johnnies' fifth victory in a row, on Wednesday, Jan. 23, in St. Paul.

SJU (8-10, 7-6 MIAC) took advantage of Macalester's 2-3 zone defense with nine three-pointers (9-for-17) to gain a 43-35 lead at halftime. Junior Jack Wittenborg (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) and freshmen Mitchell Kuck (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) and Alex Schmitt (Chaska, Minn./Waconia) combined for 31 points and a 7-for-9 showing from behind the arc in the first half. The Scots (4-13, 1-11 MIAC) shot 52.2 percent (12-for-23) from the field and made eight of their nine free-throw attempts in the first half, but committed nine turnovers.

The Johnnies started the second half with a 22-9 run and made eight of their 10 three-point attempts in the game's final 20 minutes.

Schmitt led SJU with a career-high 19 points and five three-pointers off the bench. Kuck and Wittenborg followed with 14 and 12 points, respectively, while junior Seth Marx (Maple Grove, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) posted 14 points. The four combined for a 15-for-23 (65.2 percent) showing from three-point land. Senior Chris Neumann (Winsted, Minn./Holy Trinity) was held to only two points in the night's three-point-happy offense, but added nine rebounds and three blocks.

Sam Marshall led Mac with 23 points and Dylan Kilgour added 17. The Scots shot 40.4 percent (19-for-47) from the floor but went 21-for-23 at the free-throw line. SJU was whistled for 18 fouls to just five for the home team. Mac entered the contest averaging 18.1 fouls per game.

SJU committed only five turnovers in the game and tallied 12 points off 14 Macalester miscues. Head coach Jim Smith is now 71-28 all-time against the Scots, including wins in 16 of the last 17 meetings.

The Johnnies play host to Gustavus Adolphus for a 3 p.m. contest Saturday, Jan. 26, in Sexton Arena.