BELTON, Texas — Cornerback Michael Franzese intercepted two passes Saturday at Crusader Stadium for St. Thomas in the first half of the NCAA Division III quarterfinal, tied at 10 with Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Franzese’s second pick set up the Tommies’ only touchdown of the game, a 26-yard strike from quarterback Jacques Perra to tight end Jackson Hull. The defense allowed 121 yards and only seven first downs on 32 snaps.

Offensively, Perra completed six passes to three different receivers for 73 yards and one touchdown. Running back Josh Parks led the ground game with 41 yards on 10 carries.

The Tommies started the final drive of the half down 10-7. With one second left on the clock, kicker Bryan Steinsapir drove in a 49-yard field goal, a career long, to tie the game.

This is the first time the Tommies and Crusaders have played each other. The winner of the game will take on the winner of the of the Brockport (NY)-Delaware Valley (Pa.) matchup.

Noah Brown can be reached at brow7736@stthomas.edu.