The second-ranked Lawrence University men's basketball team wrapped up an unbeaten regular season with a 67-52 Midwest Conference victory Saturday over St. Norbert College.
It wasn't easy in front of a packed house at Alexander Gymnasium, as the Vikings rallied from a 10-point first-half deficit to push their record to 22-0 and 16-0 in conference play. It's the first time in Lawrence's modern era that they have completed an undefeated regular season. The 1913-14 squad finished 9-0.
Lawrence, which clinched its third consecutive league championship with a win at Carroll on Wednesday, will host the Midwest Conference Tournament next Friday and Saturday. Carroll faces Grinnell in the first semifinal Friday at 5:00 p.m. Lawrence takes on Knox in the semifinal at 7:00 p.m. The teams will meet for the championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament at 3:00 p.m. Saturday.
Lawrence got a balanced attack, as Chris Braier and Kyle MacGillis scored a game-high 13 points apiece. Braier also had a game-high 12 rebounds. Andy Hurley added 11 points for the Vikings.
Braier also passed another milestone, as he now has 1,505 points. That is 50 points shy of breaking Lawrence's career scoring record of 1,554, held by Joel Dillingham.
Ryan Lallensack paced St. Norbert (7-16, 5-11 MWC) with 12 points.
After St. Norbert shot 55.2 percent in the first half and nailed five 3-pointers, the Vikings were staring at a 38-31 halftime deficit.
The Vikings opened the second half with an 11-4 run and tied the game at 42-42 on Hurley's layup with 14:02 left.
St. Norbert pushed the lead back to five, but Lawrence then scored the next six points, capped by Braier's layup, to take the lead for good at 48-47 with 9:49 remaining.
The Vikings finally put the Green Knights away in the final four minutes. Lawrence scored eight straight points, including four by Braier, to take a 65-52 lead with 1:17 left.