Road Weary Green Knights Clip Illinois College

From Sports Information Director, January 21, 2012 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - On the second leg of a road trip resembling something out of the movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," St. Norbert College posted a 73-55 rout over Illinois College in a Midwest Conference game at Sherman Gym.

St. Norbert, which did not get to bed until almost 4 a.m. after traveling in from Lake Forest, wiped the sleep out of its eyes with a 22-2 run midway through the first half to take command of the game. The Blueboys took a 9-2 lead in the game's first 3 1/2 minutes, but St. Norbert went on its decisive run over the next 10 minutes to take a 24-11 lead with 7:03 left before halftime.

The Green Knights led 36-16 with 1:58 left before intermission before settling on a 36-18 lead at the break. The Blueboys got to within 13 points just once in the second half - at 36-23 with 18:12 left - but a quick 5-0 run all supplied by Paul Appleton turned back the brief rally.

St. Norbert shot 55.6 percent from the floor, going 30-for-54. The Green Knights, who attempted just three 3-pointers, made two and had four players in double figures. St. Norbert also held a 40-31 rebounding advantage. Jack Whalen canned a team-high 14 points off the bench, while Andrew Schwoerer chipped in 13 points. Steven Hofacker, making his first collegiate start, netted 12 points, while Appleton finished with 11 counters.

Illinois College shot just 33.3 percent from the floor, making 20 of 60 field-goal attempts. The Blueboys, who had only four assists on their 20 field goals, did not have a player reach double figures. Brandon Berry led Illinois College with eight points.