Box Score

SUPERIOR, Wis. – No. 12 Saint John's basketball suffered a 78-56 loss to No. 8 Nebraska Wesleyan in the 2019-20 season opener for both teams on Friday, Nov. 8, in Superior, Wis.

The Johnnies wrap up Wisconsin-Superior's Merrill Thompson Classic against Marian (Wis.) at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9.

SJU led 25-22 at halftime, but the Prairie Wolves opened the second half with a 23-5 run and shot 63.6 percent (21-for-33) from the field in the game's final 20 minutes. NWU shot 33.3 percent (8-for-24) in the first half.

Senior post Lucas Walford (Elko, Minn./New Prague) led SJU with 12 points and 14 rebounds for his 16th collegiate double-double.

Junior wing Oakley Baker (Geneva, Minn./New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva) followed with nine points.

The Johnnies finished at 40.4 percent (23-for-57) from the floor, including 38.1 percent (8-for-21) from behind the arc.

NWU out-rebounded SJU 37-28, scored 22 points off 18 Johnnie turnovers. Jack Hiller (27 points) and Nate Schimonitz (26) combined for 53 of the team's points and a 19-for-32 showing from the field (7-for-11 from three-point range). Hiller was 6-for-7 from behind the arc, while Schimonitz added 10 rebounds, seven steals and six assists.