Box ScoreST. CLOUD, Minn. – Saint John's basketball gained its first 2-0 start since 2007-08 with a 78-59 win over St. Scholastica on Saturday, Nov. 21, at St. Cloud State's Halenbeck Hall.
SJU jumped out to an 8-0 lead and never trailed. The Johnnies made 13 three-pointers and out-rebounded St. Scholastica (1-2 overall) 43-34.
The Saints cut their deficit to six (46-40) with 11:12 remaining, but the Johnnies responded with a 12-0 run to put the game away.
Sophomore guard
Patrick Strom (Fargo, N.D./Shanley) led all scorers with 21 points thanks to a career-high seven three-pointers (7-for-13).
Senior wing
Joe Risinger (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) recorded his first collegiate double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Senior guard
Alex Schmitt (Waconia, Minn.) chipped in 11 points, while classmate
Mitchell Kuck (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) collected a career-high 12 assists to go with seven rebounds and four points. The 12 assists are the most by a Johnnie since Kevin McKenzie tallied 12 against Saint Mary's on Dec. 7, 2013.
Brandon Newman led CSS, which shot 33.3 percent from the field, with 20 points.
The Johnnies travel to Oregon for two games over Thanksgiving Break, beginning with a 9 p.m. game on Friday, Nov. 27, at Lewis & Clark. SJU ends the trip with a 5 p.m. game on Saturday, Nov. 28, at George Fox.
