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COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - This week's installment of #TakeMeBackTuesday showcases the 2019 MIAC Men's Basketball Playoff Championship game between No. 10 Saint John's and Augsburg on Feb. 23, 2019, in Sexton Arena.



SJU overcame its second-worst shooting performance of the season, 43.8 percent (28-for-64), thanks to 15 offensive rebounds and a 79.2-percent showing (19-for-24) from the free-throw line in the 82-79 win. The Johnnies out-rebounded the Auggies by a 41-27 margin (15-3 on the offensive glass) and tallied a 42-26 scoring advantage in the paint. The home team missed 20 layups/shots in the paint (10 in each half).

The playoff title was the sixth in program history, which clinched the Johnnies' second consecutive national tournament appearance (19th overall).

 

The 2018-19 MIAC Most Valuable Player, Booker Coplin brought the Auggies to within three (82-79) with the first of two free throws with 3.3 seconds left on the clock. He purposely missed the second attempt and the rebound deflected off post Lucas Walford '20 with 1.9 remaining. Zach Hanson '21 blocked Henry Mulligan's game-tying, three-point attempt at the horn and the large SJU student section poured onto the floor in celebration.

Walford posted his 11th double-double of the season and 15th of his career with a team-leading 22 points and 12 rebounds. Eight of his 12 boards were on the offensive end of the court.

Wing Jubie Alade '20 added a double-double of his own with 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He went 10-for-10 from the charity stripe in the game, including four in the final 19 seconds.

The Auggies started the game hot, making nine of its first 13 shot attempts (4-for-8 from behind the arc), to build its largest lead of the game (13, 24-11) 10 minutes into the game. The Johnnies, meanwhile, made only four of their first 17 shots during that span. SJU, however, ended the first half with a 26-9 run, including a three-pointer from Alade at the horn, to take a 37-33 lead into the break. 

Coplin gave Augsburg a one-point lead (75-74), what proved to be its final of the game, on a three-pointer with 3:09 remaining. Alade gave the lead back to SJU with a pair of free throws on the other end and, following a miss from each team, wing Oakley Baker '21 forced a turnover and Stokman chipped in two more free throws to make it 78-75.

The two teams exchanged misses before the Auggies turned it over again, this time a Walford steal of Coplin, and Alade drained two more free tosses. Coplin cut it to two (80-78) on a three-pointer with eight seconds remaining, but Alade answered with two more free throws.

Hanson collected 15 points and two blocks, while guard David Stokman '19 added 10 points and four assists.

Coplin led all scorers with a career-high 46 points on 17-for-30 shooting, including 7-for-16 from three-point range. He also added 11 rebounds. The Auggies made 14 treys and finished at 52.6 percent (30-for-57) for the game.