Box Score

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – No. 25 Saint John's basketball started its conference schedule with a 73-62 loss at St. Olaf on Saturday, Nov. 19, in the Skoglund Center.

The Oles (3-0, 1-0 MIAC) shot 57.6 percent (19-for-33) in the first half to build a 48-27 halftime lead. 

The Johnnies (2-2, 0-1 MIAC) cut the deficit to nine (54-45) with 13:32 to play, but STO answered with four straight points and led by double digits the rest of the way.

Junior wing Ryan Thissen (Rosemount, Minn./Eastview) was the lone Johnnie in double figures with 13 points. He added six rebounds and three assists.

SJU shot 50 percent (15-for-30) from the floor in the second half to finish an even 45 percent (27-for-60) for the game. STO cooled to 44.4 percent in the second half, including a 0-for-8 showing from long range, to end at 51.7 percent (31-for-60) overall.

Nathan Hendler led four Oles in double figures with 18 points.

SJU outrebounded STO on the offensive glass, 10-9, but the home team posted a 15-8 advantage in second-chance points and a 33-30 rebounding margin overall. Both teams committed six turnovers, though the Oles turned the miscues into nine points, to the Johnnies' three.

The Johnnies travel to face Gustavus Adolphus for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Tuesday, Nov. 22, in St. Peter.