Second-Half Spurt Lifts Green Knights Past Benedictine

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, November 18, 2017 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College opened the second half on an 18-0 run and used the scoring binge as the impetus to a 70-53 win over Benedictine University in a non-conference game at Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center.

The Green Knights (2-0) led 38-32 at halftime before going on an 18-0 skein over the first 6 1/2 minutes of the first half to rupture the lead into a 56-32 bulge.

St. Norbert opened the second half with 3-pointers from D.J. DeValk and Joe Ciriacks. Joe Lemon then followed with a conventional three-point play for a 47-32 lead at the 18:12 mark. Mitchell Reinthaler added a layup, Brian Luteyn a jumper in the paint, Reinthaler a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer from Taylor Penn to take a 56-32 lead with 13:34 remaining.

The Green Knights led 17-15 with 11:58 remaining in the first half before the Green Knights went on a quick 7-0 run. Riley Haas connected on a 3-pointer, Reinthaler hit a layup and Haas another jumper for a 24-15 lead with 9:34 left. Benedictine would cut its deficit to four twice, the last time at 28-24, before Haas hit another 3-pointer for a 31-24 lead with 4:11 to go, and the Eagles would get no closer.

Reinthaler led the Green Knights with 15 points, while Haas registered career highs with 13 points and seven rebounds. DeValk added 12 points and Penn 11 points. The Green Knights shot 38.3 percent (23-for-60) from the floor.

Benedictine shot 38.6 percent (17-for-44) from the floor but committed 18 turnovers. Eric Grygo led the Eagles with 22 points.