Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Saint John's basketball held Macalester to 32.1 percent (9-for-28) in the second half for a 76-59 win on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Leonard Center.

Macalester (9-10, 5-9 MIAC) cut the Johnnies' lead to two (50-48) with 10:58 remaining in the game, but junior guard Kooper Vaughn (St. Charles, Minn.) drained a three-pointer that sparked a 13-0 run (19-4 overall) over the next seven minutes. The trey tied Vaughn with Larry Bassett '92 for third in SJU history with 180 for his career. 

The Johnnies (15-4, 13-1) led 38-36 at halftime, thanks to a 55.6-percent (15-for-27) performance from the floor, but committed nine turnovers (10 for the game). The visitors finished at an even 50 percent (27-for-54) for the game, including 33.3 percent (7-for-21) from three-point range, and went 15-for-17 (88.2 percent) from the free-throw line. SJU entered the game as the NCAA Division III leader in shooting percentage (.509), as well as fourth in free-throw percentage (.807), seventh in three-point percentage (.398) and ninth in fewest turnovers per game (10.1).

Senior guard Blake Berg (West Fargo, N.D./Sheyenne) led three Johnnies in double figures with 20 points, including 12 in the second half, on 8-for-15 shooting. The 20-point game was the second of the season (third career) for Berg, who also collected four rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Senior guard Brandon Adelman (New London, Minn./New London-Spicer) recorded his first collegiate double-double – 16 points and 11 rebounds – off the bench with four assists and junior post Luke Budzyn (St. Paul, Minn./East Ridge) added 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

SJU was without senior wing Ryan Thissen (Rosemount, Minn./Eastview), its leader in scoring (14.1 ppg.) and assists (42), due to illness.

Caleb Williams led the Scots with 20 points on 9-for-22 shooting and Coby Gold followed with 19 points. Williams poured in a school-record 51 points thanks to a 20-for-28 showing from the field in the Scots' 92-88 Wednesday night (Jan. 24) at Concordia.

SJU outrebounded Mac by a 40-29 margin and the bench tallied a 37-10 scoring advantage. The home team finished at 37.1 percent (23-for-62) overall and 29.2 percent (7-for-24) from behind the arc. The Scots took the court Saturday ranked fifth nationally in three-pointers per game (11.3) and 12th in three-point percentage (.390).

With the win, SJU improved to 91-29 against Macalester since the 1964-65 season, including a 42-18 record in St. Paul. SJU has now won 36 of the last 38 meetings overall.

The Johnnies return to the Twin Cities to face Augsburg (7-11, 5-8 MIAC) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Si Melby Hall in Minneapolis.