In coach John Tauer and forward Conner Nord’s 100th career game, the St. Thomas men’s basketball team rolled the Macalester Scots 96-45 Wednesday night at Schoenecker Arena.
The Scots (2-8, 0-6 MIAC) battled closely with the Tommies (10-1, 5-1 MIAC) early until forward Ryan Saarela’s two-handed dunk on a fastbreak propelled the Tommies to a 36-17 run for the 13 remaining minutes in first half. St. Thomas never looked back, and its success was driven by spectacular shooting and an aggressive full-court zone trap, which forced 17 turnovers.
“I love our energy. I thought the guys were incredibly unselfish. I think the first group really came out and set the tempo and tone,” Tauer said. “I thought for the most part our defensive intensity was good as well. Very solid performance all around.”
In his 100th career game at St. Thomas, Nord didn’t disappoint. The senior led the team in scoring and rebounds, finishing with 14 points with 6 boards. Nord scored in double digits for the second consecutive game and eighth time this season after scoring just 9 total points in the two games before that.
“I thought we just played really good team ball tonight. The looks ended up coming my way, but it could’ve been anyone down there,” Nord said. “We just played really well as a team, and we got open shots, and no one really forced anything.”
Guard Marcus Alipate led the Tommies in scoring with 18 points and going 11 for 18 from the field. Alipate scored 8 of his points in less than a two minute span in the first half following consecutive steals by the Tommies in their full-court press.
“We came out ready to play. I think I was ready for my shots, just getting open. I was feeling really good in practice this week,” Alipate said. “I think with our defense we try to emphasize that as much as we can, to get up on guys and play with tempo getting transition buckets.”
In his fourth season as head coach at St. Thomas, Tauer reached his 100th game for the Tommies Wednesday. Tauer, who was a former player and assistant coach under St. Thomas athletic director Steve Fritz, is 84-16 as the Tommies’ head coach.
“I think this is my 19th year with the program from playing, as an assistant coach and a head coach. Milestones are nice, but quite frankly I’m blessed to do what I do. I love coaching these guys and the guys I get to coach with on a daily basis,” Tauer said. “It’s an honor to be here for that long, and we’re really pleased with our success.”
Surpassing a similar milestone, Nord, who has never missed a game due to injury, says he’s fortunate to play so many games in a St. Thomas uniform.
“It just made me feel really old,” Nord said. “I am proud of it. Other than that, it’s just been a long road and a lot of fun, (I) still have a lot left though.”
The Tommies resume action at home 3 p.m. Saturday Schoenecker Arena against Concordia-Moorhead before playing three consecutive away games in two weeks. St. Thomas will return home Jan. 24 when it hosts rival St. John’s.
Jordan Kruger can be reached at krug6172@stthomas.edu.