DULUTH, Minn. – An early run, dominance on the boards, and a double-double from Tobias Averill (16 points, 11 rebounds) gave the Carleton College men's basketball team an 85-67 win over the College of St. Scholastica, the Knights' fourth victory in a row.
 
Carleton (13-6, 6-4 MIAC) set season highs in steals (12), offensive rebounds (18), and overall rebounds (49). The Knights' glass proficiency led to 23 second-chance points, and their thievery earned them 18 points off turnovers.
 
Carleton shot 46.4 percent from the floor, going 7-of-19 (36.8 percent) from 3-point range. St. Scholastica (7-12, 3-8 MIAC) finished at 42.9 percent from the field and 7-of-27 (25.9 percent) from deep. The overall rebound margin was 49-29 in favor of the Knights, and the visitors outscored the hosts in the paint, 48-32.
 
The Knights got their first shot of the game blocked, and the Saints knocked down a jumper on the next possession. However, a Matt Drake bucket sparked a spree where Carleton found the bottom of the net on seven straight attempts. That hot-shooting start was part of a 26-4 burst over six minutes to go up 20 points.
 
St. Scholastica found its groove soon after, punching back to trail by just four points at 6:39 after a Tanner Thomson three. Carleton was able to extend the spread up to 45-37 at the break, with Averill leading the visitors into the locker room with 10 points and seven rebounds in the first half.
 
Carleton started the second half strong and stretched out its edge once again. Josh Engelberg capped a 14-1 run with a fadeaway jumper to give the Knights a 66-42 advantage at 10:18 to go. The maize and blue rolled home over the final 10 minutes to win their 10th consecutive game over St. Scholastica.
 
Averill finished with his second career double-double, carding 16 points and 11 rebounds, while also adding three steals. All three of those totals tied or set career highs. Luke Harris scored 15 points and also posted three thefts. Sam Koelling notched 11 points and seven rebounds. Matt Drake scored 10 to round out the double-digit scorers.
 
Thomson was the lone Saint in double figures, scoring 15 points while grabbing three steals of his own.
 
With the win, Carleton moved into fourth place in the MIAC standings. There are six games remaining in the regular season.
 
Up Next for the Knights
No. 12-ranked Saint John's University visits Carleton at West Gym on Saturday, Feb. 1. The game will conclude a women's-men's double-header with a 3:00 p.m. tip.