MINNEAPOLIS – With four players in double figures—led by
Luke Harris' game-high 21 points, the Carleton College men's basketball team picked up an 81-77 victory at North Central University.
Carleton (1-1) never trailed, but it was not easy. The Knights shot over 51.5 percent in the first half but cooled off, connecting on 31 percent of their attempts after intermission. However, Carleton went 23-of-27 at the free throw line in the contest, including 21-of-25 in the second half. North Central (1-1) shot 41.9 percent from the floor in both halves but picked up the scoring over the final 20 minutes by draining seven 3-pointers and going 14-of-20 at the line.
The Knights raced out to a 14-2 lead before the Rams countered with a 17-8 run to make it a one-possession game. Carleton closed the opening stanza with a mini 7-2 spurt and carried a 41-30 lead into the break.
After a free-flowing first half that saw the two sides combine for only five free throws, the teams were whistled for 32 combined infractions after the break, leading to 45 total free throw attempts.
The visitors still led by double-digits before North Central put together an 11-4 run to pull within 55-52 with 10:57 still to play.
A foul by Rams' guard Malik Siggers was followed by a technical foul assessed to Nik Feller, and Carleton rookie
Matt Drake drained all four free throws to provide the Knights with a bit of breathing room.
After a pair of
Tobias Averill free throws, Carleton led 77-66 with 3:45 left on the clock, but Rams made one last push, putting together an 11-2 burst that closed the gap to 79-77 with 37 seconds remaining.
Josh Engleberg drew a foul on the Knights' next possession and sealed the win by draining both attempts from the charity stripe with only 0:09 still to play.
Harris scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half. This was his 23rd career game with at least 20 points. He now has 1,304 career points, the 12th-highest total in program history (see chart below).
Drake contributed 18 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Sam Koelling turned in his second consecutive double-double, finishing with 15 points and 12 boards. Averill also reached double-digits with 10 points to go along with a eight rebounds and a team-high four assists.
Carrington McNeal came off the bench to pace the Rams with 20 points. Siggers added 17 points off the bench, and Tanner Holten had 16 points with 10 rebounds.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hosts Buena Vista University for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off on Friday, Nov. 15.
Carleton 1,000-Point Club
Points -- Player -- seasons
1. -- 2,029 -- Zach Johnson (106 G) -- '05-'09
2. -- 1,967 -- Josh Wilhelm (97 G) -- '95-'99
3. -- 1,903 -- Gerrick Monroe (105 G) -- '89-'93
4. -- 1,682 -- Kent Hanson (99 G) -- '16-20.
5. -- 1,467 -- Dan Forkrud (108 G) -- '02-'06
6. -- 1,445 -- Kyle Beste (105 G) -- '01-'05
7. -- 1,440 -- Ivan Grimm (64 G) -- '58-'60
8. -- 1,438 -- Jeremy Beckler (76 G) -- '19-'23
9. -- 1,423 -- Kevin Grow (103 G) -- '14-'18
10. -- 1,366 -- Scott Krohn (105 G) -- '89-'93
11. -- 1,356 -- Mark Wandmacher (70 G) -- '81-'84
12. -- 1,304 -- Luke Harris (78 G) -- '21-pres
13. -- 1,300 -- Laurie Slocum (87 G) -- '51-'55
14. -- 1,268 -- Tommy Drake (102 G) -- '04-'08
15. -- 1,246 -- Bryan Rosett (108 G) -- '06-'10
16. -- 1,205 -- Roy Hanson (64 G) -- '75-'79
17. -- 1,196 -- Tanner Schieck (92 G) -- '00-'04
18. -- 1,162 -- Jeremy Sutherland (103 G) -- '06-'11
19. -- 1,155 -- Tom Sawatzke (106 G) -- '09-'13
20. -- 1,136 -- Jim Tolf (59 G) -- '79-'82
21. -- 1,103 -- Jim Lovrien (99 G) -- '95-'98
22. -- 1,102 -- Jake Phillips (108 G) -- '03-'07
23. -- 1,100 -- Scott Theisen (104 G) -- '09-'13
24. -- 1,095 -- Dave Current (62 G) -- '60-'63
25. -- 1,086 -- Leon Smith (60 G) -- '71-'74
26. -- 1,070 -- Scott Christensen (91 G) -- '99-'03
27. -- 1,068 -- Howard Rosenblum (87 G) -- '51-'55
28. -- 1,050 -- Seth Jonker (108 G) -- '07-'11
29. -- 1,045 -- Michael Armacost (65 G) -- '55-'58
30. -- 1,023 -- Tom Klimisch (99 G) -- '91-'95
31. -- 1,013 -- August Schlaffer (84 G) -- '46-'50
