NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The UW-River Falls men's basketball team defeated St. Olaf 69-50 in Northfield, Minn. on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

The Falcons picked up their first win of the 2024-25 season, improving to 1-2 on the year. Zac Johnson and Jacob Butler led the way for UWRF, scoring 20 points each.

In the first half, the Falcons limited St. Olaf to 9-30 (30%) shooting from the field and just 1-11 (9.1%) from three-point range. The Oles jumped out to a 4-0 lead out of the gates, but the Falcons responded with an 8-0 run to retake the lead, which they held for the remainder of the game. 

Butler scored 14 of his points in the first half, as UWRF built up a 30-19 lead at halftime. The Falcons shot 12-32 (37.5%) from the field in the first half.

The Falcons saw their second-highest scoring half of the season in the final frame, as UWRF built up its lead and held a 39-30 advantage over St. Olaf in the second half. UWRF shot 16-32 (50%) from the field in the second half.

In the second half, Johnson scored 13 of his 20 points to help UWRF hold a steady lead throughout the final 20 minutes. The Falcons led by double figures for the final 16:57 of regulation, pulling away to win by 19. 

Butler's season-high 20 points are just shy of a career high for single-game points, which is 22. Johnson's 20-point performance marked the second consecutive game with 20+ points — he also added seven rebounds. Drew Adams led the Falcons with 10 rebounds, as UWRF held a 42-32 advantage in team rebounding. The Falcons also capitalized on a 44-28 advantage in points in the paint, and took advantage of 13 points off turnovers.

Up next, the Falcons return to River Falls for two consecutive home games at Page Arena. UWRF will host Saint Mary's at 5 p.m. on Nov. 23, before facing Concordia (MN) at 7 p.m. on Nov. 26. Tickets can be purchased here.