St. Norbert Pushes Winning Streak Against MWC Foes to 61

From Sports Information Director, February 13, 2016 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College matched the record for consecutive wins against conference opponents by a current NCAA Division III member after posting an 83-47 win over Knox College in a Midwest Conference game at Schuldes Sports Center.

The Green Knights (20-2, 17-0 MWC) won for the 61st consecutive time against a Midwest Conference opponent. That streak ties Wheaton (Ill.) College, which won 61 consecutive College Conference of Illinois games in the late 1950s. St. Norbert has not lost to a Midwest Conference opponent since a 104-99 overtime loss at Grinnell College on Feb. 9, 2013.

St. Norbert also clinched its sixth 20-win season in the last seven years with the victory.

St. Norbert slowly pulled away against Knox, building a 10-point lead just under seven minutes into the game. Seth Taylor's 3-pointer put the Green Knights ahead 14-6, while Tim Marshall's two free throws at the 13:08 mark built a 16-6 edge.

The Green Knights led 31-18 before going on a 9-0 run, jump started when Marshall came down the lane and received a pass from Terrence Garner for a dunk. Taylor Penn followed with a layup and D.J. DeValk canned a jumper and 3-pointer for a 40-18 lead with 3:37 left in the half. St. Norbert led 46-22 at halftime.

Three baskets by DeValk and a hoop from Mitchell Reinthaler comprised an 8-2 run that put the Green Knights ahead 58-29 with 14:30 remaining. St. Norbert never led by less than 26 points the remainder of the game.

St. Norbert shot 52.5 percent from the floor for the game, making 32 of 61 field-goal attempts. DeValk led the Green Knights with 14 points, while Reinthaler added 11 points and Penn 10. The Green Knights outrebounded Knox 36-21.

The Prairie Fire shot 42.5 percent (17-for-40) from the floor and committed 18 turnovers. Grant Billimack came off the bench to lead Knox with 15 points, while Braden Adams chipped in 14 points.