LA CROSSE – The Carthage College men's basketball team battled St. Norbert in the first-round NCAA Division III Tournament game. After falling behind early, the Firebirds used a big second half to trim the lead to one but the Green Knights held on to win 92-89 ending the 2024-25 season for Carthage.

• Final Score: St. Norbert 92 - Carthage 89

• Location: - La Crosse Center - La Crosse, Wisconsin 

• Records: St. Norbert 23-6, Carthage 21-7

• St. Norbert opened the game with an 8-3 lead, capped by a jumper.

• Riley Brooks hit a turnaround jumper to cut the deficit to three, but the Green Knights responded with a three-pointer.

• After the first media timeout, Ryan Johnson's hook shot made it 10-9, but St. Norbert answered with a jumper.

• The Green Knights extended their lead with a three, but Griffin Daun countered with a fadeaway jumper to make it 18-13 with under 13 minutes left in the half.

• Following the second media timeout, St. Norbert went on a 14-2 run, prompting a Carthage timeout.

• Later in the half, Ryan Johnson sank a hook shot, bringing the score to 39-24 with under seven minutes remaining.

• Riley Brooks drove for a layup to cut the deficit to 58-31, and Ryan Johnson hit a buzzer-beater to make it 62-37 at halftime.

• Early in the second half, Johnson added another layup to trim the deficit to 64-40.

• Brooks hit a pull-up jumper, and a defensive stop set up Daun for two free throws, bringing Carthage within 20.

• AJ Williams knocked down a jumper, and a three-pointer from Ryan Johnson made it 73-54.

• A defensive stop led to a Brooks floater and a foul. He converted the free throw to make it 73-57 with 8:50 left.

• AJ Johnson drained a three-pointer, cutting the deficit to 15 heading into the eight-minute media timeout.

• Colton Sigel connected from long range, bringing Carthage within nine with under five minutes left.

• Daun's steal and layup made it 78-73 with 3:39 remaining.

• The Green Knights responded with a basket and a free throw to push their lead back to nine.

• Johnson knocked down two three-pointers, forcing a St. Norbert timeout with their lead down to five at 1:47.

• A Green Knights three-pointer extended the advantage to 88-80 with 57 seconds left.

• Brooks fought through traffic for a tough basket, cutting the deficit to six with 39 seconds remaining.

• AJ Williams converted a putback layup, making it a five-point game with 20 seconds left.

• A steal and quick bucket from Johnson brought Carthage within two at 89-87 with 12 seconds remaining.

• Williams sank two free throws to make it a one-point game with six seconds left, but St. Norbert added two free throws of their own.

• Carthage had one last chance to force overtime but couldn't get a shot off as time expired.  

• Once again Ryan Johnson and Riley Brooks each finished with 20 or more points concluding the final game of the year with 29 and 21 respectfully. 

• Ryan Johnson went 10-of-15 from the floor with six rebounds and a team-best eight assists. 

• Colton Sigel added 12 points, four-of-nine from long range. 

• AJ Johnson dished out six assists and 12 points.