Fourteen players saw game action and 12 scored for the Johnnies, who won their sixth game in a row and 10th in their last 13 starts to improve to 15-9 overall, 13-6 in MIAC play. Scott Schafer (Jr., Anoka, Minn.) and Tyler Westman (Jr., Mankato, Minn./Loyola HS) had 10 points apiece for the Johnnies.
Dan Graf (Jr., Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS) scored 25 points with 10 rebounds and four steals for Augsburg, now 3-21 overall, 2-17 in MIAC play. Augsburg has lost its last 14 games in a row.
Augsburg jumped out to an early five-point lead in the first four minutes of play and led 17-15 with 9:07 left in the first half. However, the Auggies were then held scoreless for the next 10:36 -- missing 15 straight field-goal attempts and two free throws -- as St. John's built a double-digit lead that it would not relinquish.
The Johnnies led 30-17 at halftime and 32-17 on the first basket of the second half, before Augsburg connected on a layup by Graf with 18:31 left in the second half, making the score 32-19. Another long scoring run -- 24-5 over a 9:44 stretch -- gave the Johnnies their biggest lead of the game -- 59-29 with 7:31 left to play.
St. John's hit 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the field, including 40 percent (8-of-20) from three-point range. Westman connected on three 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, Augsburg hit just 26.8 percent (15-of-56) from the field and 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from three-point range. St. John's also outrebounded Augsburg by a 47-29 margin in the game.
Brady Brink (So., Waconia, Minn.) scored eight points for the Johnnies, while Nick Johnson (So., Glencoe, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake HS) and Tim Veurink (Jr., Milaca, Minn.) had six points each. Ryan Lieser (Jr., Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori HS) had five assists and five rebounds.
Graf was the only Auggie to score in double figures. Aaron Benesh (Sr., Oconto, Wis.) had six points and three assists. Darren Nelson (So., Richfield, Minn.) scored five points.
Augsburg closes its season on Saturday (2/18) at 3:15 p.m. with a game at Macalester. St. John's, which has already clinched a berth in the six-team MIAC postseason playoffs, closes its regular season on Saturday at 3:15 p.m., hosting Gustavus.
St. John's University vs Augsburg College 02/15/06 7:30 p.m. at Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis, Minn. At Si Melby Hall, Minneapolis, Minn. ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY 72, AUGSBURG COLLEGE 48 ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY (15-9, 13-6 MIAC) Craig Schafer 4-7 4-5 12; Tyler Westman 3-8 1-2 10; Scott Schafer 5-6 0-0 10; Brady Brink 2-3 2-4 8; Tim Veurink 2-5 0-0 6; Nick Johnson 2-4 1-2 6; Jacob Kincaide 2-4 1-3 5; Jason Fogt 1-3 2-2 4; Ryan Lieser 2-5 0-0 4; Matt Ohme 2-6 0-0 4; Chase Lenz 0-1 2-4 2; Andrew Spaanem 0-1 1-2 1; Kevin Markling 0-0 0-0 0; Joe Conzemius 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-54 14-24 72. AUGSBURG COLLEGE (3-21, 2-17 MIAC) Dan Graf 9-18 4-4 25; Aaron Benesh 2-9 0-0 6; Darren Nelson 0-3 5-8 5; Justin Kozlowski 2-6 0-0 4; Grant Hemmingsen 1-2 2-2 4; Charlie Scott 1-5 1-2 4; Tait Thomsen 0-4 0-0 0; Kevin Keto 0-3 0-0 0; Devin Rose 0-4 0-0 0; Greg Hildebrandt 0-1 0-0 0; Sama Sandy 0-0 0-0 0; Matthew Huttner 0-0 0-0 0; Phil Knutson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 15-56 12-16 48. St. John's University......... 30 42 - 72 Augsburg College.............. 17 31 - 48 3-point goals-St. John's University 8-20 (Tyler Westman 3-7; Tim Veurink 2-4; Brady Brink 2-3; Nick Johnson 1-1; Ryan Lieser 0-2; Matt Ohme 0-3), Augsburg College 6-23 (Dan Graf 3-6; Aaron Benesh 2-7; Charlie Scott 1-3; Kevin Keto 0-2; Devin Rose 0-2; Phil Knutson 0-1; Justin Kozlowski 0-1; Darren Nelson 0-1). Fouled out--St. John's University-None, Augsburg College-Grant Hemmingsen. Rebounds-St. John's University 47 (Craig Schafer 10), Augsburg College 29 (Dan Graf 10). Assists-St. John's University 19 (Ryan Lieser 5), Augsburg College 10 (Aaron Benesh 3). Total fouls-St. John's University 13, Augsburg College 17. A-181.