Box ScoreNORTHFIELD, Minn. – Saint John's basketball shot a blistering 69.2 percent (18-for-26) from the field in the second half to post an 81-72 win at St. Olaf and take over second place in the conference standings on Saturday, Jan. 23, in Northfield.
SJU (13-3, 8-3 MIAC) entered the matchup with losses in four of its last five trips to the Skoglund Center and today's game looked bleak at the start, as the Oles (9-7, 7-4 MIAC) jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first 2:51. That is, until the Johnnies went on an 18-4 run and eventually took a 30-24 lead into halftime.
The visitors shot only 37.9 percent (11-for-29) from the field, including 2-for-11 from three-point range (18.2 percent), in the game's first 20 minutes but out-scored the Oles 12-0 off turnovers and 4-0 in second-chance points (turnovers were 9-1 in favor of STO).
The Johnnies led by as much as 18 (63-45) with 7:42 to play, but STO chipped away at the deficit thanks to 12 points from Austin Majeskie during a four-minute span to cut SJU's lead to seven (73-66) with 2:37 to play.
The Oles, however, made two of their final six shot attempts and the Johnnies went six of eight from the free-throw line to seal the win.
Senior guard
Alex Schmitt (Waconia, Minn.) led all scorers with 19 points to move into 20th on SJU's all-time scoring list with 1,110 for his career.
Senior wing
Joe Risinger (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) followed with 17 points, six rebounds and four steals, while sophomore guard
Patrick Strom (Fargo, N.D./Shanley) added 15 points and three treys. Sophomore post
Tyler Weiss (Shakopee, Minn.) contributed 13 points and seven rebounds.
The Johnnies' five starters shot a collective 54.2 percent (26-for-48) from the field and scored 73 of the team's 81 points.
Ben Figini led the Oles with 18 points, while Majeski more than doubled his season average (7.2 ppg.) with 16 points off the bench.
SJU posted a 30-21 advantage on the glass (9-3 offensive) and out-scored the Oles 17-8 off turnovers and 9-2 in second-chance points. STO shot 55.1 percent (27-for-49) for the game, including 63 percent (17-for-27) in the second half.
The Johnnies return home for a two-game homestand, beginning with a 7 p.m. contest against Carleton on Monday, Jan. 25, in Sexton Arena.
