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Big First Half Leads Way as Green Knights Cruise Past Knox

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, January 4, 2020 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

GALESBURG, Ill. - St. Norbert College jumped out to a 33-point halftime lead and went on to claim an 86-63 win over Knox College in a Midwest Conference game at Memorial Gym.

The Green Knights (9-2, 4-0 MWC), who led by as much as 38 points with about 8 minutes left, won for the ninth consecutive time.

The game was tied 9-9 just over four minutes in before St. Norbert went on a 14-2 run to take control. Michael Payant canned a pair of 3-pointers during the run, while Nolan Beirne added four points. A pair of Beirne free throws put St. Norbert ahead 23-11 with 9:32 left in the half. After Knox cut the deficit to 25-16 with 8:24 left in the half, the Green Knights then scored on 13 of its last 15 possessions of the first half to take a 53-20 halftime lead thanks to a 28-4 run.

St. Norbert pounded the ball inside to Curtis, who scored 10 points during the run. Beirne had six points during the stretch, while Payant drained another two 3-pointers.

The Green Knights managed a comfortable lead throughout the second half, eventually leading 78-40 with 7:39 remaining after a pair of Josh Nicklaus free throws. Knox went on a 19-1 run over the next 5:16 to get to within 79-59, but the Prairie Fire would get no closer.

St. Norbert shot 48.4 percent (30-for-62) from the floor. Curtis finished with 26 points in just 23 minutes of action, just three points short of a career high. Payant finished with a career-high 15 points in 19 minutes, while Beirne added 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.

Knox shot 42.9 percent (24-for-56) from the field. Jordan Rayner led the Prairie Fire with 16 points, while Ethan Meeker added 15 points.

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