NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College men's basketball team led wire-to-wire in a 74-63 victory over the visiting College of St. Scholastica.
 
Matt Drake paced Carleton (10-8, 6-3 MIAC) to the tune of 22 points, hitting 7-of-15 shots and 6-of-7 free throws. Josh Engelberg tallied 18 efficient points, going 6-for-9 from the field as the sophomore guard also handed out two assists, picked up two steals, and tied his career high with seven rebounds. Sam Koelling scored 14 points and carded eight boards. Tobias Averill totaled eight points and a career-best 12 rebounds, while adding two steals.
 
The first two minutes of the game passed without either team scoring, with Koelling finally opening the scoring with a pair of free throws and laying in down low for a 4-2 Knights lead at 17:18. St. Scholastica (6-12, 2-7 MIAC) guard Koy Nelson nailed a midrange jumper a minute later, tying the game for the last time. Carleton separated itself from the Saints, with Drake scoring on back-to-back possessions to put the Knights up 17-10 at 10:55. The visitors twice brought the game back within one score, but two late Drake free throws sent Carleton into the break leading 31-24.
 
The Knights burst out of the gates in the second half, outscoring their visitors 14-4 over the opening five-and-a-half minutes of the frame. That burst boosted Carleton's lead to 45-28 with 14:30 remaining.
 
The hosts kept the Saints at a distance until the 7:04 mark, when St. Scholastica embarked on a 16-3 spree that brought the visitors to within two points at 63-61 with 3:20 still to play.
 
Drake quieted the run by hitting a floater through a foul on the Knights' next possession, converting the ensuing free throw to begin an 11-2 jaunt that lasted the remainder of the game. The Knights hit all seven of their free throws in the final three minutes, putting the game to bed.
 
The Knights dominated the boards, hauling in 50 rebounds to St. Scholastica's 29. Carleton lost the ball a season-worst 19 times but rallied on the defensive end, allowing just 10 points off those turnovers. The Knights shot 44.1 percent from the field, making 27.3 percent (6-for-22) of their 3-point tries and 84.2 percent (16-for-19) at the free throw line. Carleton's defense limited St. Scholastica to a 37.7 percent shooting mark overall, and a 19.2 percent (5-for-26) performance from 3-point land.
 
Aaron Keykal racked up 15 points, eight rebounds, and three steals for the Saints. Davion Butler netted 13 points and three assists, and Koy Nelson added 12 points and three helpers before fouling out.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton heads to Winona to tangle with Saint Mary's University on Wednesday, Jan. 28, tipping off at 7:00 p.m.