Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Carthage College Athletics

The Official Website of The Carthage College Firebirds
Sigel-Colton
Photo by John Gaynor
92
Winner St. Norbert SNC 23-6,15-3 NACC
89
Carthage CARTH 21-7,14-2 CCIW
Winner
St. Norbert SNC
23-6,15-3 NACC
92
Final
89
Carthage CARTH
21-7,14-2 CCIW
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
St. Norbert SNC 62 30 92
Carthage CARTH 37 52 89

Game Recap: #22 Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Rallies in Second Half but Falls to St. Norbert in NCAA Tournament Opener

LA CROSSE – The Carthage College men's basketball team faced St. Norbert in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Despite an early deficit, the Firebirds mounted a strong second-half comeback, cutting the lead to one, but the Green Knights held on for a 92-89 victory, bringing Carthage's 2024-25 season to a close.

The Basics
  • Final Score: St. Norbert 92 - Carthage 89
  • Location: - La Crosse Center - La Crosse, Wisconsin 
  • Records: St. Norbert 23-6, Carthage 21-7
How it Happened
  • St. Norbert opened the game with an 8-3 lead, capped by a jumper.
  • Riley Brooks hit a turnaround jumper to cut the deficit to three, but the Green Knights responded with a three-pointer.
  • After the first media timeout, Ryan Johnson's hook shot made it 10-9, but St. Norbert answered with a jumper.
  • The Green Knights extended their lead with a three, but Griffin Daun countered with a fadeaway jumper to make it 18-13 with under 13 minutes left in the half.
  • Following the second media timeout, St. Norbert went on a 14-2 run, prompting a Carthage timeout.
  • Later in the half, Ryan Johnson sank a hook shot, bringing the score to 39-24 with under seven minutes remaining.
  • Riley Brooks drove for a layup to cut the deficit to 58-31, and Ryan Johnson hit a buzzer-beater to make it 62-37 at halftime.
  • Early in the second half, Johnson added another layup to trim the deficit to 64-40.
  • Brooks hit a pull-up jumper, and a defensive stop set up Daun for two free throws, bringing Carthage within 20.
  • AJ Williams knocked down a jumper, and a three-pointer from Ryan Johnson made it 73-54.
  • A defensive stop led to a Brooks floater and a foul. He converted the free throw to make it 73-57 with 8:50 left.
  • AJ Johnson drained a three-pointer, cutting the deficit to 15 heading into the eight-minute media timeout.
  • Colton Sigel connected from long range, bringing Carthage within nine with under five minutes left.
  • Daun's steal and layup made it 78-73 with 3:39 remaining.
  • The Green Knights responded with a basket and a free throw to push their advantage back to nine.
  • Johnson knocked down two three-pointers, forcing a St. Norbert timeout with their lead down to five at 1:47.
  • A Green Knights three-pointer extended the advantage to 88-80 with 57 seconds left.
  • Brooks fought through traffic for a tough basket, cutting the deficit to six with 39 seconds remaining.
  • AJ Williams converted a putback layup, making it a five-point game with 20 seconds left.
  • A steal and quick bucket from Johnson brought Carthage within two at 89-87 with 12 seconds remaining.
  • Williams sank two free throws to make it a one-point game with six seconds left, but St. Norbert added two free throws of their own.
  • Carthage had one last chance to force overtime but couldn't get a shot off as time expired.  

High Flyers
  • Once again Ryan Johnson and Riley Brooks each finished with 20 or more points concluding the final game of the year with 29 and 21 respectfully. 
  • Ryan Johnson went 10-of-15 from the floor with six rebounds and a team-best eight assists. 
  • Colton Sigel added 12 points, four-of-nine from long range. 
  • AJ Johnson dished out six assists and 12 points.  

Coachs Remarks

Print Friendly Version