Box Score

WINONA, Minn. - Saint John's basketball shot 59.1 percent (13-for-22) in the second half to pull away from Saint Mary's for a 73-63 road win on Wednesday, Dec. 1, in Winona.

The Johnnies (5-2, 2-0 MIAC) held a slim, 30-29 halftime lead thanks to a 39.3-percent (11-for-28) shooting performance, including 1-for-9 from three-point range, in the game's first 20 minutes. 

SJU led by as much as 11 (51-40) with 10:45 remaining, but Saint Mary's (1-3, 1-2 MIAC) chipped away at the deficit to make it a two-point game (60-58) with 7:15 left. The Cardinals, however, proceeded to make just two of their final 11 shot attempts and went 0-for-2 from the free-throw line.

Senior post Zach Hanson (New Prague, Minn.) recorded the ninth double-double of his career, a season-high 18 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman guard Kooper Vaughn (St. Charles, Minn.) matched him with a career-high 18 points. Fifteen of Vaughn's points came in the second half.

Sophomore wing Ryan Thissen (Rosemount, Minn./Eastview) followed with 14 points and sophomore guard Blake Berg (West Fargo, N.D./Sheyenne) added 11 points off the bench.

Raheem Anthony led all scorers with 23 points for SMU, which entered the night shooting 38.3 percent (75-196) and 23.3 percent (20-86) from three-point through the first three games. The home team finished 12-for-27 (44.4 percent) from behind the arc and 43.6 percent (24-for-55) overall.

SJU out-rebounded Saint Mary's 38-25 and went 21-for-26 from the free-throw line. The Johnnies were in the bonus for the game's final 9:27.

The Johnnies return home to host Concordia (2-3, 1-1 MIAC) for their home opener at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in Sexton Arena.