Saint Joseph's boxscore in PDF

St. Louis - Grant Sims poured in a career-high 29 points, and Jimmy Barton dished out a Division II-era record 15 assists as the Maryville men's basketball team won a wild shootout 105-95 over Saint Joseph's College Thursday night. The Saints converted a school-record 34 free throws, surpassing the previous mark of 31 set during the 1978-79 season. The 105 points are the second most the Saints have scored in a Great Lakes Valley Conference contest.
 
The Saints grabbed a 46-41 lead after the first half and scored the first seven points after the break. Forrester Sims sank a 3-pointer, and Anthony Johnson converted a jumper. Barton hit a bucket to give the Saints a 53-41 lead two minutes into the second half. The Pumas finally scored but Maryville tacked on five straight points. Forrester Sims converted two at the line, and Johnson's three-point play was good for a 58-43 lead. Later, Evan Booker scored inside as the Saints took their biggest lead of the night at 66-50 with 14:59 to play. The Pumas answered with an 11-2 run to get back into the contest. Grant Sims converted a layup, and two free throws apiece by Forrester Sims and Karson King established a 76-64 edge. Saint Joseph's chipped away at Maryville's lead and cut the gap down to five. Johnson splashed in a key 3-pointer, and Forrester Sims drained a wing jumper for a 97-87 lead. The Pumas got as close as eight in the final minute but the Saints held on for their fourth straight victory.
 
All five Saints starters scored in double figures. Grant Sims hit 9-of-11 shots from the field and added nine at the free-throw line. Forrester Sims converted 7-of-10 shots and all six free throws to finish with 21. Johnson had 18 points, and Booker added 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Barton's 15 assists are the third most in a single game and the highest total since Jared McCoy had 16 assists Dec. 9, 2006. Barton added 13 points along with three steals. The Saints shot 64 percent from the field (32-of-50), including a sizzling 75 percent (15-of-20) in the second half.
 
CJ Hardaway led the Pumas (6-7, 0-3 GLVC) with 26 points. The Saints improve to 7-9 overall, 1-3 in the league. Maryville is back on the court Saturday as Indianapolis visits in a 3 p.m. tip.