Box Score |
Photos (Brace Hemmelgarn)
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John’s shot 63.6 percent in the second half and took advantage of 20 Saint Mary’s turnovers in a 66-55 victory on Saturday, Jan. 30, in Collegeville.
The Johnnies (11-7, 8-5 MIAC) shot a dismal 45.0 percent (9-20) from the free-throw line but tallied 24 points off turnovers.
Sophomore
Andrew Latzke (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) led SJU with 17 points, while junior
Aaron Burtzel (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori) added 12 points and seven rebounds. Junior
Todd Herman (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) added 12 points off the bench, including 10 in the second half.
Freshman Chris Palmer led all scorers with 18 points for the Cardinals (7-12, 5-9 MIAC).
SMU led 31-30 at the half thanks to a 50.0 percent (11-22)-40.6 percent (13-32) shot differential. The tables turned, however, in the second half. SJU shot 63.6 percent (14-22) in the game’s final 20 minutes, while holding the Cardinals to just 27.8 percent (5-18) from the field. The Johnnies were just 3-for-13 from three-point range, including a 0-for-7 showing in the first half.
The Cardinals entered Saturday’s game 10th in all of NCAA Division III in turnovers per game (11.4 tpg.).
With the win, SJU head coach Jim Smith improves to a 710-494 career record in 46 seasons, including a 70-20 record against Saint Mary’s (44-1 at home). The Johnnies have now won 37 of the last 45 meetings overall and 40 consecutive meetings in Collegeville (36-0 record in the Warner Palaestra).
SJU returns to action Monday, Feb. 1, at Macalester. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in St. Paul.