Men's Basketball 2/27/2025 9:30:00 PM

Saint John's to host Carleton in MIAC Men's Basketball Playoff Championship

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The 2025 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men's Basketball Playoffs continued on Thursday night with a pair of semifinal contests.

In the first game of the evening, No. 4 Carleton topped No. 1 Gustavus, 75-64, in St. Peter, before No. 2 Saint John's rolled to a 72-54 victory over No. 3 Hamline in Collegeville. The Johnnies will host the Knights in the MIAC Playoff Championship game Saturday night, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

NO. 4 CARLETON 75, NO. 1 GUSTAVUS 64 | Box Score |
For the second time in eight days, Carleton did what no other MIAC team could do all season: defeat Gustavus. After handing the Gusties their only conference loss of the regular season last Wednesday, the Knights pulled off another upset on Thursday with a 75-64 win over the top seed in the MIAC Playoffs. Six Knights scored at least nine points in the game, with first-year wing Tobias Averill leading the way with 16 points off the bench. Gustie forward Adam Biewen led all players with 18 points, going 7-for-10 from the field and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Foul shots and three-pointers proved to be the difference in the game. Carleton shot 72.7 percent (16-for-22) from the line and 40.9 percent (9-for-22) from long range, while Gustavus was 38.9 percent (7-for-18) on free throws and 25.0 percent (7-for-28) on threes. Gustavus is No. 31 in the latest NCAA Power Index (NPI); depending on how the other automatic qualifiers shake out around the country, the Gusties' season could continue as an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament next week.

NO. 2 SAINT JOHN'S 72, NO. 3 HAMLINE 54 | Box Score |
Saint John's avenged last season's semifinal loss to Hamline with a definitive 72-54 victory over the Pipers on Thursday night. Senior wing Griffin Rushin scored 17 points off the bench to lead the Johnnies. Four of his five field goals came from behind the three-point line. Nine different Johnnies made baskets in the win. Senior forward Austin Holt turned in a 14-pount, 11-rebound double-double for the Pipers. Holt was one of three Hamline starters to tally double-digit points and play all but the final minute of regulation.

PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR SATURDAY
For the second time in the last three seasons, Saint John's and Carleton will meet in the MIAC Men's Basketball Playoff Championship. The Knights won the last postseason meeting in the 2023 title game, though the Johnnies hold a 3-2 advantage all-time in the playoff series. SJU also won both regular-season matchups with Carleton earlier this year. Saint John's will be working towards the program's ninth MIAC Playoff championship, while Carleton will be in search of its third. The MIAC Playoff champion will receive the postseason championship plaque and the conference's automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Sexton Arena in Collegeville.

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY
Tickets for the 2025 MIAC Men's Basketball Playoff game will go on sale Friday, February 28, at 10:00 a.m. All tickets for the 2025 MIAC Playoffs will be sold and purchased online via HomeTown Ticketing. There will not be cash sales at any venue; however, spectators can purchase tickets using a mobile device, including while at the venue. General admission adult tickets are $12 (plus HTT service charge). Student (with ID) tickets are $3 (plus HTT service charge), and children ages five and under are admitted free.

The MIAC has a homepage dedicated to the 2025 MIAC Men's Basketball Playoffs, containing schedules, links, and information on each of the six teams in the field. The page will be updated throughout the tournament with scores, stats, and schedules. Fans can also follow the action on the MIAC Scoreboard, on the free MIAC mobile app, and on the MIAC Sports Network.

| 2025 MIAC Men's Basketball Playoffs |

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