(ST. NORBERT COMMUNICATIONS) LA CROSSE – Another memorable St. Norbert College men’s basketball season came to an end with the Green Knights’ 77-67 loss at the hands of UW-La Crosse in a second-round NCAA Division III Tournament game at La Crosse Center.
The Green Knights finished the season 23-7 after advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32 for the second time in three seasons. St. Norbert won 13 of its last 14 games after a 10-6 start.
St. Norbert had a slow start, with the Eagles jumping out to a 13-3 lead just over four minutes into the game. The Green Knights immediately countered with a 12-0 run to jump ahead 15-13 with 12:40 left in the half, fueled by a pair of Jamison Nickolai 3-pointers. A Brandt Wilson (pictured) trey at the 7:12 mark knotted things up at 21-21, but La Crosse then went on a 12-2 run to get some breathing room with a 33-23 lead at the 3:41 mark. St. Norbert trailed 38-29 at halftime.
La Crosse would open up a 51-32 lead with 14:41 remaining until St. Norbert got back into things to trail 55-48 with 8:56 left following a 16-4 run. The Eagles would respond with a quick 7-0 run to retake control. St. Norbert would get to within six points, trailing 73-67 with 35 seconds left, but would get no closer.
St. Norbert shot 37.7 percent (23-for-61) from the floor. Wilson posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Nickolai also had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Garrett Grzesk finished with 15 points.
La Crosse shot 44.2 percent (23-for-52) from the floor. Dustin Derousseau led the Eagles with 23 points, while Sam Grieger added 16 points.
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