Saturday's MIAC recap: SJU strengthens its hold on a playoff spot

The league was full of important games this weekend, though most of the intrigue centered around the final playoff spot. Saint John's took an important step at Winona, a place it has struggled at in recent years. Aaron Burtzel and Andy Burns paced the Johnnies with 19 and 17 points apiece, respectively.

While former Saint Mary's head coach and current Johnnie assistant Mike Trewick had to be smiling after the big win, the Oles' playoff hopes suffered a blow against the Auggies. Augsburg senior Nate Alm posted 18 points and fellow post Andy Grzesiak-Grimm had 12, including a monster alley-oop dunk late in the game. The Oles, who are two games behind SJU for the final playoff spot, have lost three straight heading into Monday's showdown with Carleton, their crosstown rival.

Bethel's Mike Moberg, who is coming off MIAC Athlete of the Week honors, led the Royals to their fifth straight win. He scored 17 points and grabbed 19 boards in the 67-59 win over Concordia. The Royals maintain their slim lead over Carleton and Augsburg in the race for the No. 2 seed in the league playoffs.

Reserve Seth Jonker sparked Carleton to a road win over Hamline with a career-high 17 points. Teammate Bryan Rosett was close to a triple-double with 12 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.

St. Thomas pounded Macalester to remain undefeated.

Minnesota Wrap
• Cobber coach Rich Glas gets some love from the Strib. I can understand the appeal — a long-time coach returns to his roots at the "purest" level of play — but is this really the best story the MIAC has to offer? He ran his best player off before the season started and has underachieved, according to the preseason MIAC coaches' poll (picked 5th, currently tied for 8th). I'm also surprised Reusse used the kid gloves when discussing his stint at UND — that seems like something he usually tackles with gusto. At least it wasn't the annual Tommie update, I guess.

*Photo courtesy of SMU sports information department