Green Knights Pull Away From Cornell

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, January 11, 2020 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - St. Norbert College never trailed and went on to win its 11th consecutive game with an 87-62 win over Cornell College in a Midwest Conference game at Small Multi-Sport Center.

The Green Knights (11-2, 6-0 MWC) held a 15-10 lead until embarking on a 10-0 run to take firm control. Jared Murphy got the run started with a jumper at 12:22 and added a 3-pointer at the 10:54 mark. Michael Payant then split a pair of free throws, followed by a Jack Pettit hoop. Nolan Beirne then converted a pair of free throws for a 25-10 lead with 9:16 left in the half.

St. Norbert held a 31-16 lead and then went on an 8-0 run, getting a layup from Murphy, a 3-pointer from Josh Nicklaus and a triple by Murphy to go up 39-16 with 3:50 left. The Green Knights settled on a 45-22 halftime lead.

The Green Knights eventually led by as many as 33 points, taking a 64-31 lead on a Payant layup. Cornell would get no closer than 18 points the rest of the way.

St. Norbert shot 52.4 percent from the floor, making 33 of 63 field-goal attempts. Beirne led the Green Knights with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Murphy added 16 points. Connor Curtis finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Wade Geenen had 10 points and eight assists against no turnovers.

Cornell shot 37 percent from the floor, making 20 of 54 shots from the field. Cooper Kabela led the Rams with 21 points, while Devin Davis and Jordan Magnani had 13 points apiece.