Saint John's stuns Concordia in MIAC semifinals, eyes NCAA tournament spot
Saint John's University (SJU) secured a 75-68 win over Concordia in the MIAC men's basketball semifinals. The victory came despite SJU entering the break with a 4-7 record and missing eight of its top scorers from last season. The team now advances to the championship game against Gustavus on 28 February 2023.
SJU started the game with a strong offensive push, hitting six of their first eight shots to take a 14-3 lead. But Concordia fought back, turning the match into a back-and-forth battle where neither side held control for long.
Peyton Podany led SJU with 24 points, 16 of which came in the second half. Baiden Bean added 19 points, including four key three-pointers down the stretch. Together, they helped SJU hold off Concordia in the final minutes.
For Concordia, senior forward Jacob Cook closed his career with a 23-point, 11-rebound performance. The Cobbers finished their season at 20-7, marking their first MIAC semifinal appearance since 2013.
With the win, SJU moves on to face Gustavus in the MIAC championship. The winner will earn an automatic spot in the NCAA Division III tournament.
The semifinal victory keeps SJU's season alive, setting up a title clash on 28 February. The team's resilience, despite missing key players, has carried them to the brink of an NCAA tournament berth. A win in the final would secure their place in the national competition.
