Green Knights Pull Away From Lawrence, Clinch Conference Title Share

From Sports Information Director, February 4, 2015 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College used a strong second half and also clinched a share of its fifth Midwest Conference title in six years with an 81-63 win over Lawrence University at Schuldes Sports Center.

The Green Knights (18-1, 14-0 MWC), ranked No. 9 in the D3hoops.com Top 25, were able to earn a share of the league title with their win and Grinnell College's 108-82 win over Monmouth College. St. Norbert, which won its 38th consecutive game against MWC opponents, will also host the MWC Tournament on Feb. 27-28.

St. Norbert, which won for the 12th consecutive time over the Vikings, held a 35-30 halftime lead before shooting 18-for-27 (66.7 percent) from the floor in the final 20 minutes. The Green Knights held a 47-41 lead with 14:26 left until Austin Elliott canned a jumper and then finished a layup for a 51-41 lead. The Vikings (7-12, 5-9) never got closer than eight the rest of the game, and trailed 62-51 with 8:33 to go when Lawrence coach Joel DePagter was assessed a technical foul.

Following that point, St. Norbert went on a 17-0 run to close out the game, eventually building a 79-51 edge with 3:45 to go. Elliott had eight points during the run, which was finished by a conventional three-point play from Terrence Garner.

St. Norbert never trailed in the game, and was only tied twice with the latest coming 8-8. The Green Knights led by as much as nine late in the second half before settling on a 35-30 advantage.

The Green Knights, the nation's top shooting team, converted on 60.4 percent (32-for-53) of their field-goal attempts. Elliott scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half. D.J. DeValk added 12 points, while Steven Hofacker added 11 points and eight rebounds.

Lawrence, which shot 46.6 (27-for-58) from the floor, did not attempt a free throw. Ryan DePouw led the Vikings with 20 points, while Jamie Nikitas and Mitch Willer added 12 points apiece.