Northfield, Minn. – Anthony Baquero (Jr./Rosemount, Minn.) tallied a season-high 17 points, including three 3-point baskets and Tanner Schieck (Sr./Austin, Minn.) added 16 points, eight rebounds and four steals and host Carleton College scored the game's final 10 points in holding off St. John's University, 70-62.
The Knights (10-4, 7-2 MIAC) won for the third consecutive game and for the fourth time in the last five games. It marked the Johnnies' (6-8, 4-5 MIAC) third straight defeat. Paul Henrichs paced SJU with 17 points and six rebounds and Pat McKenzie added 15 points and seven assists.
Carleton broke to a 35-23 halftime lead, mainly by canning 6-of-10 three-point baskets. The Johnnies rallied back, using a 22-8 run to take the lead, 62-60, with 3:18 left on a Nate Kopetka jumper. The Knights, however, responded with a Baquero triple and then made 7-of-8 free throws in the final 2:41 to seal the win.
The Johnnies shot an amazing 66.7 percent (16-for-24) in the second half, but Carleton answered by canning 17-of-20 free throws over the final 20 minutes. The Knights also made a 10 three-pointers in the game, the fourth time this season they've made 10 or more long-range baskets.
Dan Forkrud (So./Rosemount, Minn.) added 10 points, five assists and four rebounds for the Knights. Micah Johnson (Jr./Pine River, Minn./Pine-River Backus) chipped in with nine points and a career high seven rebounds off the bench for the Knights.
Carleton travels to league-leading Gustavus Adolphus College on Monday, Jan. 19, for a 7:30 p.m. contest. The Johnnies are at Hamline for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
