Box Score

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – No. 12 Saint John's extended its win streak to a dozen games with a 78-54 victory at St. Olaf on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

SJU (16-2, 9-0 MIAC) shot 50.8 percent (30-for-59) from the floor, including 58.1 percent (18-for-31) in the second half, and out-rebounded St. Olaf (2-17, 1-9 MIAC) by a 42-24 margin (13-6 on the offensive glass). The visitors also out-scored the Oles 50-18 in the paint and 16-8 in second-chance points.

The Johnnies held STO to 22.2 percent (6-for-27) from the field in the first half en route to a 30-17 halftime lead. The Oles opened the second half with a 20-11 run, thanks in large part to 11 points and a 3-for-3 showing from three-point land by Chris Willis, in the first 5:36 after the break to cut their deficit to just four (41-37). Senior guard Zach Longueville (Eagan, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran) started a 12-2 advantage with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession and the Johnnies closed the game with a 25-10 run over the game's final 8:53.

Senior wings Griffin Rushin (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd) and Ryan Thissen (Rosemount, Minn./Eastview) led all scorers with 20 points apiece. Thissen, the reigning MIAC Men's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week, also added six rebounds and three assists. The 20 points were a career-high for Rushin off the bench.

Longueville ended the night with nine points, six assists and four rebounds. Senior post Connor Schwob (Waconia, Minn.) grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds to go with six points.

Kobe Kirk led the Oles with 13 points on a 3-for-13 evening from the field. STO, which entered the game shooting 69.2 percent from the free-throw line this season, finished a perfect 15-for-15 at the charity stripe and 32.7 percent (17-for-52) overall.

The Johnnies return to Northfield for a 3 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Carleton (13-6, 6-4 MIAC).