Basketball wins MIAC championship in close game

SJU won their third consecutive MIAC Championship Feb. 27 in Collegeville, defeating Macalester 75-71.

In the final seconds of the Johnnies’ victory over Macalester, senior Zach Hanson had a crucial block to secure the Johnnies third consecutive MIAC title.

“Any time you make a play like that it feels good. There were a lot of great plays made in the last few minutes of the game,” Hanson said.

Hanson also attributed late-game energy to Blake Berg’s steal and subsequent dunk.

After a water main break moved the MIAC semifinal game between St. John’s and St. Olaf to CSB’s Claire Lynch Hall, the Johnnies defeated the Oles 76-57 behind 16 points apiece from first-year Kooper Vaughn, Hanson and senior Colton Codute.

In the subsequent MIAC Championship, the Johnnies and the Scots had a back-and-forth battle throughout the whole first half.

Every time the Johnnies made a big play, Macalester answered with a big play of their own.

When Macalester took a five-point lead with just over four minutes remaining in the first half, St. John’s head coach Pat McKenzie decided to make a change and substituted junior Carson Schoeller into the game. The move paid off, as Schoeller came up with a crucial block and promptly made a three-pointer to bring the Johnnies within two with two minutes remaining in the first half.

Two possessions later, Schoeller hit another three-pointer to close out the first half with the Johnnies only trailing by a single point.

Schoeller has been one of the Johnnies’ best three-point shooters this year, shooting 24-for-53 (45.3%) on the year. Part of that can be attributed to him knowing his role.

“Everyone knows their role and just looks to come in and positively impact the game in any way that they can,” sophomore Jared Rainey said.

Schoeller continued his hot streak in the second half, making two crucial threes in the opening minutes. With ten minutes left in the game, the Johnnies still trailed by one and needed someone to step up. Sophomore Blake Berg answered the call.

Over a span of 2:30, Berg scored nine points to give the Johnnies a five-point lead, including an electrifying fast-break dunk that brought Sexton Arena to its feet.

This much-needed spark came from someone who has shown flashes of excellence throughout the season, although he is not in a starting role.

“When someone isn’t having their best night, there is always someone else who steps up and makes plays,” said Berg, who finished with a career-high 15 points. “Everyone on this team is capable of having a big night. That’s what makes this team so special.”

The Johnnie bench didn’t stop there. Macalester brought it within three before Rainey hit a three and made a layup to bring the Johnnie lead to seven with just over a minute left to play.

The Scots made a valiant comeback attempt, but Hanson’s block sealed the game and the MIAC tournament for the Johnnies.

Schoeller led the Johnnies with 16 points, followed by Berg’s 15, Hanson with 12 and Rainey with 10. Having been at St. Thomas for two years, Rainey had some familiarity with St. John’s, making the transition fairly seamless.

“From scouting for St. John’s when I was at St. Thomas, I knew a majority of the offense and the defensive schemes that were used here, so all I had to do was put myself in a good position to play,” Rainey said.

Another breakout player this year for the Johnnies has been first-year guard Kooper Vaughn. Vaughn has started each of the Johnnies’ 27 games and is the most prolific three-point shooter in the MIAC. He is first in the MIAC in three pointers and made 55 during MIAC play, which represents 43% shooting from beyond the arc.

He led the Johnnies in scoring in MIAC play with 13.1 points per game. Vaughn also holds the Johnnie record for three pointers made by a first-year student with 68.

“[Vaughn’s] will to win on and off the court is what makes him a great player. He also has a very positive attitude with everything he does and just makes people want to be around him,” first-year Andrew Wagner said.

The first-year class Wagner belongs to is a promising one.

“They’ve been learning a lot throughout the year and have been great at adjusting to this level,” Hanson said.

The Johnnies win over Macalester awards them the MIAC’s automatic bid to the DIII tournament, where they will face Calvin University (Mich.) on March 4.

“The feeling never gets old. It’s always been a part of the next step which is to win that elusive national championship,” Hanson said.