ST. PAUL, Minn.- St. Olaf used a 13-0 run over a four minute stretch in the first half and held on to beat Macalester 68-58 in the first MIAC game for both teams Wednesday night in St. Paul.
Beginning with a free throw made by MIAC Player of the Week
Justin Pahl with 10:03 to play in the first half, St. Olaf (5-0, 1-0 MIAC) scored 13 straight points to open a 14-point advantage. That lead would be 38-25 at half's end.
In the first game since earning the 20th spot in the latest D3hoops.com poll, the highest ranking in school history, the Oles were efficient in the opening 20 minutes, shooting 13-for-23 (56.5%) from the floor with only three turnovers.
Ben Figini scored 11 points and added four boards in the first half.
The second half was a different story as Macalester (2-2, 0-1 MIAC) would not go away. Kyle Bernhard's three-pointer with 4:37 left cut the St. Olaf lead to six points but the Oles hit seven of their final eight free throws to thwart the threat.
The Scots went 8-for-15 (53.3%) from three-point range to remain close. St. Olaf held a distinct advantage in two different categories; points in the paint and points off turnovers. The Oles outscored Macalester 30-18 in the paint and 22-10 off turnovers.
Figini finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, both season-highs. Including Figini, four Ole starters finished in double figures while the fifth ended with eight.
St. Olaf continues MIAC action Saturday at Bethel beginning at 3 p.m.
