APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University’s Jamie Nikitas poured in a career-high 35 points Saturday to lead the Vikings to a 77-67 Midwest Conference victory over Illinois College at Alexander Gymnasium.
Nikitas also became the 23rd player in Lawrence history to score 1,000 career points. He entered the game needing 29 to reach 1,000 and now has 1,006 for his career. Nikitas hit 13-of-19 shots from the floor and went 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. He also had six rebounds and five assists.
Tim Schappaugh, who left the game with an injury, and Max Stutsman led Illinois College (2-3, 0-2 MWC) with 15 points apiece.
Eight other players scored for the Vikings with Pete Winslow leading that group with eight points and a team-best eight rebounds. Winslow also picked up five assists.
The Blueboys led 57-56 midway through the second half before Lawrence surged ahead. Lawrence (3-3, 2-2) went on a 13-2 run to grab a 69-58 lead with 7:36 remaining. Ben Peterson, who finished with seven points, started the burst with two consecutive baskets, Nikitas followed with back-to-back 3-pointers and Connor Weas finished the run with another 3-pointer.
Illinois College fought back and trimmed the lead back to 69-65 with seven consecutive points. Weas knocked down a jumper to stem the tide, the Vikings got a stop on the defensive end and Mitch Willer scored to put Lawrence up 73-65 with 4:00 left.
The teams then traded several missed shots, and Lawrence led 75-67 after Nikitas’ layup with 1:13 left. The Blueboys were forced to foul and finally put the Vikings in the bonus with 28 seconds left. Nikitas, who topped his previous career high of 34 points that he matched at Beloit College just three days ago, made two free throws for the final margin.