02/04/06

With 44 points in tonight's 87-68 home victory over the University of Minn.-Morris Cougars, junior Derek Johnson set a single-game record for the Saints, breaking the mark set by Chris Rauschenfels in 2004.

Rauschenfels, who was in attendance tonight as a member of the 25 Year Silver Anniversary Team, had the previous high of 40 points. Johnson fell just short of Rauschenfels' made field goal mark of 16 in a single game, converting 15 against the overwhelmed Cougars. He did tie the mark of 10 three-point field goals in a single game which was set in 1994 by Nate Higgins.

Although Johnson certainly had the hot hand and was the star of the party, several other Saints contributed to the 19-point win.

As a team, the Saints out rebounded the Cougars 42-35, led by Luke Schramm's 6 boards. Kyle Allen, with a career high, was one of four Saints with 5 rebounds. Andy Schmitz had a career high 7 assists in the game.

It was Johnson the Cougars couldn't stop. They couldn't even slow him down. His 44 points, 15 field goals, and 10 three-pointers were all career highs.

The Saints never let the Cougars into the game, really. Trailing through most of the initial four minutes of the game, the Cougars took their first and only lead of the game, a short-lived 2 point margin at 7-5 just shy of five minutes in. On the following possession, Johnson sank his second trey of the game to put the Saints back in front 8-7 and, from that point on, the Saints never trailed.

They built a 41-27 lead at the half and with the Cougars unable to do anything with Johnson or his teammates under the boards, the lead grew to its final 19 point margin.

The win and new record was especially sweet for Johnson and the Saints as they named and honored the 25th Year Anniversary squad at halftime. In attendance and themselves enjoying the victory today were Rauschenfels (2000-04), Kraig Erickson (1985-89), Bu Hayes (1996-98), John Horner (1988-91), Matt Inda (1999-04), Omar McMillan (1996-99), Tom Pearson (1988-90), Tim Radosevich (1988-91) and Fritz Skinner (1995-97). Unable to join his Silver Anniversary teammates was Shawn Kopischke (1995-98) who is a junior-college head coach with his own game today.

With the win, the Saints keep pace with Northwestern, the new UMAC leader after a Saints loss and Eagle win on Friday night. Northwestern beat Martin Luther on Saturday which pushes their UMAC record to 9-2. The Saints win over Morris puts their conference mark at 8-3 with three games remaining on the schedule -- all conference match ups, including a February date with Northwestern in St. Paul on the Eagles' home court.