Green Knights Stymie Grinnell to Head Back to NCAA Tournament

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

DE PERE - St. Norbert College's suffocating defense held Grinnell College to a season-low point total in an 89-67 win in the championship game of the Midwest Conference Tournament at Schuldes Sports Center.

St. Norbert (20-5) advances to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second straight year and for the fourth time in school history. Grinnell (18-7) had its 10-game winning streak snapped.

The Green Knights held the Pioneers to 21 percent shooting on 3-pointers (13-for-62) and 25 percent (21-for-84) from the floor. Grinnell came into the tournament averaging 104.9 points per game.

St. Norbert led 53-51 with 11 minutes 36 seconds remaining following a 3-pointer by Grinnell's Patrick Maher. St. Norbert held the Pioneers to just one field goal of the next four minutes but only led 62-57 with 7:22 left. The Green Knights then went on a 15-1 run over the next 3:17 to take a 77-58 lead with 4:05 to go. The Green Knights were 9-for-10 at the the free-throw line during the run, and the PIoneers never threatened again.

The game was last tied at 25-25 with 6:09 left in the first half before St. Norbert settled on a 36-31 halftime lead.

Steve Papke led St. Norbert with 21 points and 11 rebounds. David Wipperfurth added 19 points, while Paul Mallers chipped in with 11 and Garrett Thrown 10. St. Norbert made 28 of 54 field goals (51.9 percent) and converted 33 of 50 (66 percent) free throws. The Green Knights also held a 59-41 rebounding advantage.

Maher led Grinnell with 13 points, while Aaron Levin added 10.