Free Throws Stymie St. Norbert

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, January 25, 2019 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

GRINNELL, Iowa - St. Norbert College shot an uncharacteristic 13-for-28 from the free-throw line and ended up losing a tough 102-96 decision to Grinnell College in a key Midwest Conference game at Darby Gym.

The 46.4 percent marksmanship at the charity stripe tightened the MWC race, with the Green Knights (12-6, 10-1 MWC) now leading the Pioneers (14-4, 10-2) by a half-game in the league standings.

Grinnell held four first-half leads of 11 points before the Green Knights closed the last three minutes of the first half on a 6-0 run to trail just 44-39 at intermission.

The Pioneers opened up a 57-43 lead with 16:33 remaining and held a comfortable lead until midway through the half, leading 72-62 with 10:47 to go. The Green Knights would slowly work their way back, getting to within 74-72 with 8:26 to go on a pair of Joe Ciriacks free throws. A Drew Yetka 3-pointer with 4:58 left tied the game at 82-82, while Matt Lynch's conventional three-point play knotted the game at 85-85 with 4:18 to go.

St. Norbert would manage just four points in the next 3:19, however, and would never be in position to take the lead the rest of the way.

The Green Knights shot 58.2 percent (39-for-67) from the floor. Connor Curtis led the Green Knights with 21 points, while Ciriacks added 18 points and Nolan Beirne 13 points.

Grinnell shot 45.9 percent (34-for-74) from the field. Ky-Sean Johnson led the Pioneers with 23 points.