Box Score

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – No. 15 Saint John's went cold in the game's final 5:30 in an 80-71 loss to No. 21 Wisconsin-La Crosse on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, in Sexton Arena.

A tip-in from senior wing Griffin Rushin (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd) gave the Johnnies (4-2 overall) a one-point lead – 64-63 – with 5:31 remaining, but the home team proceeded to make only two of its final 13 shot attempts, including a 1-for-8 showing from three-point range.

SJU finished at 40.6 percent (28-for-69) from the field, including 29.6 percent (8-for-27) from behind the arc, in the game. The Eagles (5-1 overall) did not fare much better from long range, finishing at 21.7 percent (5-for-23), but made 53.3 percent (24-for-45) of their shots inside the arc and went 17-for-20 at the free-throw line. The Johnnies attempted only eight shots (7-for-8) at the charity stripe and the visitors totaled 14 points off 11 SJU turnovers.

The game was the Johnnies' third in five days against a nationally ranked opponent.

Senior guard Blake Berg (West Fargo, N.D./Sheyenne) slammed home a put-back to tie SJU's largest lead of the game – six (49-43) – with 16:07 left in the second half. The Johnnies, however, were whistled for a technical foul and UWL turned the call into a four-point play thanks to two made free throws and a basket on its offensive possession. The momentum swing eventually led to a 12-4 run for the Eagles.

Four of the team's six free-throw attempts in the second half came in the final 6:07 – a traditional three-point play from Berg at the 6:07 mark and a 2-for-3 showing from senior guard Kooper Vaughn (St. Charles, Minn.) with 1:16 to play. Vaughn's free throws made it a three-point game – 72-69 – but UWL scored eight of the game's final 10 points.

Berg led the Johnnies with 17 points and two blocks before fouling out with 29 seconds left. Senior wing Ryan Thissen (Rosemount, Minn./Eastview) followed with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Rushin added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Longueville was the fourth Johnnie in double figures with 11 points.

SJU shot an even 50 percent, both overall (16-for-32) and from three-point (7-for-14), and closed the first half with a 9-4 run to take a 41-37 lead into the locker room.

Sam Grieger led all scorers with 21 points, including 15 on 7-for-11 shooting (6-for-7 inside the arc), in the second half. JJ Paider totaled 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The Johnnies open MIAC play by hosting St. Olaf at 7 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Collegeville.