Box Score

OSHKOSH, Wis. – A young Saint John's basketball team dropped its season-opener to UW-Oshkosh 90-86 on Saturday, Nov. 8.

The Johnnies shot 51.7 percent (31-for-60) to the Titans' 41.2 percent (28-for-68) and out-rebounded the home team 39-35, but UWO scored 18 second-chance points thanks to 13 offensive rebounds and 17 points off 13 SJU turnovers. SJU finished 7-for-27 (25.9 percent) from three-point range and left seven points at the free-throw line (17-for-24, 70.8 percent).

SJU battled back from double-digit deficits four times – one of those a 10-point differential (73-63) with just under seven minutes remaining (6:58) – but a series of plays from junior guard Baiden Bean (Farmington, Minn.) helped swing the momentum to the Johnnies, who tied the game at 80-80 with 3:11 on the clock. 

The Johnnies missed their next three attempts, allowing Oshkosh to build just enough separation. Freshman guard Hudson Hochstedler (Monticello, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) cut the lead to one point with 14 seconds on the clock, but UWO made all three of its free throws awarded for the 90-86 final.

The season opener was the first collegiate start for all five Johnnies. 

Sophomore guard Liam Farniok (Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest) led five Johnnies in double figures with 17 points and added five assists.

Junior post Vincent Hillesheim (Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins) collected a career-high 14 points and six rebounds, while Hochstedler added 12 points and five boards off the bench.

Freshman guard Peyton Podany (Anoka, Minn.) contributed on both sides of the ball with 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while junior wing Jamison Lien (Prior Lake, Minn.) rounded out the double-digit Johnnies with 10 points and a team-best seven rebounds.

Brandon Beck led six Titans in double digits with 18 points in 20:44 played. UWO received votes in D3hoops.com's preseason top 25 poll.

The Johnnies return home to host a pair of opponents from the American Rivers Conference in Sexton Arena, beginning with a 7 p.m. tip-off against Central (Iowa) on Friday, Nov. 14. SJU then welcomes Simpson (Iowa) at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.