Box ScoreWINONA, Minn. – Saint John's shot 65 percent (39-for-60) from the field and returned to the win column with a 94-70 victory at Saint Mary's on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Winona.
SJU (12-9, 10-6 MIAC) made seven of its first eight shots to start the game but only led 16-14 due to four turnovers, in which the Cardinals (4-18, 1-16 MIAC) turned into six points. The Johnnies ended the first half on an 8-0 run to take a 44-28 lead into the break. The visitors shot 66.7 percent (18-for-27) in the first half but committed eight turnovers, six of which were unforced.
The Johnnies led by as much as 29 (82-53) with 6:15 remaining.
Junior guard
Mitchell Kuck (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) led all scorers with 25 points, on 10 of 12 shooting (4-for-5 from three-point range), while adding four assists and four steals in only 23 minutes played. The 20-point game was Kuck's sixth of the season and 10th of his career.
Junior wing
Joe Risinger (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) reached double figures with 10 points, all in the first half, while senior post
Jacob Peterson (Golden Valley, Minn./Hopkins) and freshman guard
Patrick Strom (Fargo, N.D./Shanley) poured in 10 points apiece off the bench.
Connor Kaiser led SMU, which was out-rebounded by the Johnnies 35-19, with 19 points. SJU tallied 22 points off 16 turnovers in the game (15 points off seven miscues in the second half alone).
The Johnnies return home to host Carleton (9-12, 6-10 MIAC) for a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 14, in Sexton Arena.
