Box Score

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – No. 7 Saint John's basketball ended its banner season with a 102-92 loss to Bethany Lutheran in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Friday, March 2, in Collegeville.

BLC (20-8 overall) advances to play No. 17 Wisconsin-Stevens Point (20-8), which defeated North Central (Ill.) 72-55 earlier in the evening, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 3, in Sexton Arena.

The Johnnies (23-4 overall) shot 59.4 percent (19-for-32) from the field, including 58.8 percent (10-for-17) from three-point range, in the first half but trailed by six (60-54) at the break because the Vikings shot 71 percent (22-for-31) from the floor and 75 percent (9-for-12) from downtown. Bethany Lutheran made 12 of its first 13 shot attempts.

Sophomore forward Trenton Krueger led all scorers with 23 points on 7 of 10 shooting, which included a 4-for-5 showing from long range, in the first half. He entered the NCAA tournament averaging 14.7 points per contest with 10 total three-pointers (10 of 27) in 27 games.

The Vikings led by as much as 10 (67-57) two minutes into the second half, but SJU answered with a 16-4 run to gain a 73-71 lead with 12:11 left. The lead changed hands four times before the Johnnies went 4:48 without a field goal and trailed by six, 87-81. Junior guard David Stokman (Maple Lake, Minn.) scored five straight points for SJU to bring the home team to within two (88-86) with 3:49 remaining. The Johnnies, however, made only one of their final eight shot attempts, while BLC went 2-for-3 from the floor and 10 of 11 from the free-throw line to end the game.

Stokman led all scorers with 32 points, thanks to a career-high eight three-pointers (8 of 15). He also collected eight assists, six rebounds and three steals in just under 40 minutes of play. The 32-point performance was the 17th game of Stokman's career with 20 or more and sixth of 30+.

Senior guard Patrick Strom (Fargo, N.D./Shanley) made seven of his 12 three-point attempts and followed with 24 points. He ended his career as SJU's all-time leader in three-pointers with 232 and finished four points shy of 1,000.

The Johnnies tied a school record with 17 three-pointers (17 of 37) on the night.

Sophomore post Lucas Walford (Elko, Minn./New Prague) registered 16 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting performance. He tallied six rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

Stricken with foul trouble, senior post Tyler Weiss (Shakopee, Minn.) scored six points and grabbed three rebounds in 24 minutes of play. He ended his career eighth in school history with 1,349 career points.

Senior guard Garrett Goetz (Rosemount, Minn.) posted nine assists to finish with 154 on the year, the third-most in an SJU season. He finished his career ninth in school history with 271.

The Johnnies forced 15 turnovers and out-scored the Vikings 21-9 off the miscues. BLC, however, gained significant advantages in the paint, in both rebounding (42-22) and scoring (42-28). It was the first time SJU was out-rebounded all season.

Krueger led five Vikings in double figures with 25 points. Senior guard Neil Eichten drilled five three-pointers (5 of 9) and scored 21 points with eight assists. The Rose twins, seniors Bradley and Brady, combined for 31 points, 15 rebounds and a 12-for-12 showing at the charity stripe. BLC finished at 59.6 percent (34-for-57) from the field and 85.2 percent (23-for-27) from the free-throw line.