Photos

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Ben Figini had 27 points and Riley Aeikens 20 as St. Olaf weathered a 36-point night from Saint John's Alex Schmitt as the Oles defeated the Johhnies 91-80 on Friday night at Skoglund Center in the MIAC Playoffs semifinal.

Justin Pahl and Evan O'Dorisio added 17 each for the Oles (17-9), who won for the seventh time in the last eight games. The Oles will play at the University of St. Thomas (24-2), which defeated Bethel on Friday, on Sunday at 2 p.m. The championship game appearances is the second in three years for St. Olaf.

Figini was 11-of-17 from the field as the Oles raced to a 14-3 lead in the opening three minutes. The lead balooned to 21 twice in the first half before a Schmitt 3-pointer in the closing seconds cut the lead to 14 at the break. 

Mitchell Kuck had 18 points and Tyler Weiss 10 points for SJU (19-8). The Johnnies cut the Oles' advantage to nine with Schmitt's sixth three of the night with 7:23 left. St. Olaf answered with a 5-0 run and made 12 straight free throws to close the game.