St. Norbert Wins Fifth Straight In Pounding of Lawrence

From Sports Information Director, January 26, 2011 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

APPLETON - St. Norbert College won its fifth-consecutive game in convincing fashion with a 73-52 road rout of Lawrence University in a Midwest Conference game at Alexander Gym.

The Green Knights, ranked No. 13 in the D3hoops.com Top 25, improved to 14-3 overall and remained their 1 1/2-game lead in the MWC at 10-2. Lawrence dropped to 8-8, 7-4.

St. Norbert never trailed in this game, with Steve Papke scoring the first two baskets of the game to set the tenor inside. The Green Knights held a 32-10 advantage on points in the paint, getting a career-high 17 points from Papke and 11 points from Chris Peterson.

The Green Knights led by 15 points on two occasions late in the first half before settling on a 37-25 halftime lead. St. Norbert held a double-digit lead until Anrew Kline's basket cut the Vikings' deficit to 48-40 with 11:55 to go. The Green Knights countered with a 3-pointer from Brandon Gries and a layup from Garrett Thorn for a 53-40 lead with 10:38 left and Lawrence never threatened again.

St. Norbert, which had 11 different players score, shot 46.7 percent from the floor, making 28 of 60 shots. The Green Knights also had a robust 44-24 rebounding edge, including a 16-5 nod on the offensive glass. Papke had eight rebounds, while Peterson and Paul Mallers added five apiece. The Green Knights had just six turnovers.

Lawrence shot 40 percent from the floor, making 20 of 50 shots, and was 6-for-14 (42.9 percent) at the free-throw line. Jon Mays was the lone Viking to tally double figures with 14 points.