SIOUX FALLS – Led by a career-high 30 points from sophomore guard Mack Johnson, the University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team recorded a second consecutive win with a 76-60 decision over Mount Marty at the Stewart Center on Tuesday.
The Cougars, which host Southwest Minnesota State (8-3, 4-1 NSIC South) in NSIC action on Saturday at 4 p.m., improved to 5-6 overall and 2-2 at the Stewart Center this year. The win followed up a dramatic 75-73 win over U-Mary on Saturday in Bismarck, N.D.
"Given the short preparation time from our last game and with finals, I thought we had a solid effort," said seventh-year USF head men's basketball coach Chris Johnson. "Mack (Johnson) seemed to score as will as did Charles (Ward). I was pleased with their play. I also thought Zach Wessels came off the bench with some solid minutes. It is something to build on," he said.
In their final nonconference matchup of the regular season, USF held off feisty crew from Mount Marty (1-13), despite by 22 points from Lancers' junior guard Jackson Seitzinger, who hit 9-of-15 shots from the floor. The Cougars led 34-26 at halftime and outscored the Lancers, 42-34, in the second half for the 16-point win. USF's largest lead was a 17-point advantage with 44 seconds left in the game.
Johnson was the story of the game as he hit of 10-of-17 field goals, including 4-of-8 from three-point distance. He was also 6-of-6 from the free throw line and added four rebounds and two assists. Johnson's 30 points is the best performance by a USF men's player since Feb. 22, 2014 when Derek Brown had 32 in 95-90 overtime win over Concordia St. Paul. Johnson eclipsed his own personal best by converting two free throws after a technical foul on the Mount Marty bench with 7:38 to play. Johnson's previous high was 29 points in a 97-84 win at Concordia St. Paul on Feb. 7, 2014.
The Cougars also had a solid effort from senior guard Charles Ward, who tied a season-high with 23 points as he made 9-of-18 from the field. Ward added six rebounds and set a career mark with six assists while also tying a career-best with four steals. Ward now has reached double figures in points 28 times in his career, including all 11 games this season. He also went over 20 points for the ninth time as a Cougar. This is the first time this season that USF had 20 points from two different players in the same game.
Overall, USF hit 26-of-54 field goals for 48.1 percent, including 5-of-13 from three-point range. They were 19-of-27 from the foul line which was a significant factor as Mount Marty had just five free throw attempts (3-of-5). The Cougars outrebounded the Lancers, 37-27, as they out boarded its opponent for the 9th time in 11 games. And, as has been the case in all their wins, USF outshot its opponent as the Lancers made 42.6 percent from the floor (26-61).
Mount Marty opened the scoring on a basket by Bud Smith, who finished with 16 points and six assists. The Cougars quickly answered with a 12-5 run after back-to-back baskets by Ward. After the Lancers cut the lead to 14-11 (11:17), USF had another spurt, outscoring the visitors, 12-3, for a 26-14 lead with 6:21 to play. Seitzinger, who scored 12 points in the opening half, caught fire with the Lancer's final seven points of the half as USF's lead was trimmed to 34-26 at the break.
Early in the second half, Seitzinger scored to cut USF's lead to 37-32 with 17:28 to play. But that was as close as the Lancers would get on the night. USF re-established a double-digit margin at 46-34 after Johnson hit a three-pointer with 14:10 left in the game. Yet, Mount Marty had another run left in them. With 9:26 to play, Seitzinger hit a three-ball to cut USF's lead to 54-48 as the Lancers ripped off a 14-8 run. But once again the Cougars established control with a 11-2 run for a 65-50 lead with 5:06 to play. From there, USF maintained at least a 12-point margin the rest of the game.
