12/29/05

Following a disappointing night of shooting in their Wednesday loss to host UW-Stout, the Saints roared back in the 3rd place game at the Wendy's Holiday Tournament on Thursday by shooting 52% from the field -- 53% behind the 3-point line -- in their 90-81 victory over Marian College in Menomonie, Wis.

The win moves the Saints record to 3-7 on the year and might give them some momentum for a rematch with UW-Superior on January 2nd.

Robert Jackson recorded is his first double-double of the season against Marian scoring 17 points and snaring 10 rebounds while Derek Johnson led the Saints in points with 18 including a 5 for 10 performance from the 3-point arc.

Five Saints reached double figures for the Saints. Along with Johnson and Jackson, Andy Schmitz and Luke Schramm each had 12 and Josh Gosar chipped in 10 points.

William Maupins led all players in the game with 9 assists in the winning effort by the Saints.

The Saints never trailed in the game, opening up a double-digit lead a little past halfway through the first period that would remain until the closing 1:24. But Marian never got closer than an 8 point deficit in a loss that sends them to a 4-9 record for the season.

The Saints outrebounded Marian by a telling 44-27 margin. St. Scholastica's 31 defensive rebounds in the game effectively shut down any second-chance points Marian had hopes for.

The blistering success the Saints had in shooting over the first half -- especially their 7 for 11 success from 3-point land -- helped open an 18 point lead entering the half that Marian wouldn't be able to recover fun.