St. Charles Holds Off Late Push From Stewartville To Advance To Section Semis

The #6 seeded St. Charles Saints were able to find attacking lanes in the first half and won the game at the free-throw line in the second half to take down the #3 seeded Stewartville Tigers 76-72 in the Section 1AA quarterfinals Monday night.

The Saints were led by an attacked of Drew Leistikow and Kooper Vaughn who combined for 48 of the Saints 76 points. Leistikow did a majority of his damage in the first half by getting into the lane and facilitating or creating his own shot. Leistikow's played was matched by Will Tschetter of Stewartville, who finished the game with 31 points.

The Saints carried a 39-29 lead into the half, but the Tigers were not going away quietly in the second. Clutch shooting from Nolan Stier and Evan Buri helped keep the game in striking distance for Stewartville. Steir hit a three with four minutes to go to cut the St. Charles lead down to 63-62, but the Saints then went on a quick 7-2 run to push the lead to 70-64.

Stewartville was unable to close the gap down again, falling to St. Charles 76-72.

The game was played with great tempo and up and down the floor, but it was the Saints at the free-throw line that closed things out. The Saints will take on Caledonia in the Section Semifinals Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

KFIL Subway Player of the Game (Stewartville) - Will Tschetter

KFIL Subway Player of the Game (St. Charles) - Drew Leistikow

Kingsley Mercantile Game Ball (St. Charles) - Kooper Vaughn