COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Macalester College men's basketball team could not overcome a 62-point first half by Saint John's University in a 101-79 defeat Saturday afternoon at Sexton Arena. The Scots fall to 5-5 overall and 2-4 in conference play, while the Johnnies (7-2) remain unbeaten in the MIAC at 6-0.

Five points from junior guard Coby Gold (Denver, Colo./Kent Denver) and a basket by junior guard Caleb Williams (Wild Rose, Wis./Wild Rose) helped Macalester build an early 7-4 lead. Saint John's tallied the next eight points to gain the upper hand, 12-7. After Gold hit a pull-up jumper in the paint to make the score 12-9, the Johnnies took over, using a 24-6 run to take control of the game, 36-15 with 8:46 left in the first half. The lead grew to as many as 29 points before Williams scored with time winding down in the half, as Saint John's went into the break leading 62-35. The Johnnies shot 10-of-15 from three-point range and made 66.7 percent (24-of-36) overall from the field in the first half. The Scots made 53.8 percent (14-of-26) of their field goal attempts in the half but surrendered 14 points off eight turnovers.

Early in the second half, Macalester came as close as 25 points three times, including 70-45 with 15:31 to play. But Saint John's continued to pour it on, pushing the lead to as many as 42 points, 98-56 with 7:20 remaining. Sophomore guard Eric Wentz (Minot, N.D./Minot) scored 12 points during the remainder of the game to spark a 23-3 Scots' run to close out the contest. Macalester ended up shooting 53.6 percent from the field for the game but were outscored 46-30 in the paint.

Four Scots scored in double figures, led by Gold with a season-high 22 points. Gold also registered six rebounds and five assists while hitting four threes. Williams finished with 15 points and four rebounds, sophomore forward Noah Shannon (Northfield, Ill./New Trier) had 14 points, and Wentz contributed 12 points, six rebounds and two steals. Kyle Johnson scored 15 points to lead Saint John's.

Macalester steps away from competition for winter break before resuming its schedule on Jan. 2 with a non-conference game at the University of Northwestern. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Roseville, Minn.