Big Start Powers Green Knights Over Vikings

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, February 19, 2020 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

APPLETON - St. Norbert College led by as many as 22 points in the first half and went on to claim a 75-56 win over Lawrence University in a Midwest Conference game at Alexander Gym.

The Green Knights (21-3, 16-1 MWC), ranked No. 20 in the D3hoops.com Top 25, have won 20 of their last 21 games and extended their winning streak against the Vikings to 22 consecutive games,.

St. Norbert trailed 3-2 in the early going but went on an 11-0 run to take control. Jacob Bolwerk got the run started with a jumper and Wade Geenen buried a 3-pointer. Connor Curtis followed wth a pair of free throws, while Nolan Beirne had a couple of baskets for a 13-3 lead just 4 1/2 minutes in. Lawrence cut the deficit to 18-11 with 8:57 left in the half but St. Norbert then went on a 17-2 run to take a 35-13 lead. Josh Nicklaus' 3-pointer ignited the run, which included four points by Curtis and six from Jared Murphy. The Green Knights settled on a 42-24 lead at halftime.

Lawrence opened the second half on a 12-2 run to get to within 44-36 with 14:55 left, but St. Norbert answered with a layup by Murphy and a pair of 3-pointers from Murphy and Michael Payant for a 52-38 lead with 11:08 to go. The Green Knights held a double-digit lead the rest of the way, eventually getting ahead by 20 points at 67-47 on a Joe Ciriacks hoop with 5:14 to play.

St. Norbert shot 28-for-63 (44.4 percent) from the floor and 10-for-30 (33.3 percent) from beyond the three-point arc. Curtis and Murphy led the Green Knights with 13 points apiece, while Payant added 10 points. The Green Knights, who had just six turnovers, outrebounded the Vikings 38-29.

Lawrence shot 35.8 percent (19-for-53) from the floor and was 11-for-32 (34.4 percent) from beyond the three-point arc. Brad Sendell finished with 22 points, while Bryce Denham added 12 points.