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Erica Nord’s 17 points were too much for the St. Thomas women’s basketball team as it lost the MIAC playoff championship game to Concordia-Moorhead 71-61 Saturday at home.
The loss hit hard after an exhilarating 50-48 win against Gustavus Thursday night. Coach Ruth Sinn said being on defense for a majority of the game made it difficult to get back on track.
“We kind of had the (game) tempo the way we wanted it to go,” Sinn said. “We were going with that, and then when you don’t cash in on that, you can’t feed off the energy. Then you’re on defense.”
After Concordia started the game up eight points, junior Sarah Smith got the Tommies on the board at the four-minute mark. Freshman Taylor Young and senior Jazmin Townsend took control of the offense in the first half, with Young scoring nine points while Townsend added eight.
The Tommies played aggressively on defense, but racked up nine fouls in the first half. The Cobbers used the fouls to their advantage, sinking six of eight free throw attempts At halftime, St. Thomas trailed Concordia 35-31.
The second half began with the Tommies finding their stroke from beyond the arc, using back-to-back 3-pointers to take the lead. After an 11-4 run, St Thomas found itself within one point but never took the lead.
With eight minutes left in the game, Concordia broke away from the Tommies for good, solidifying an 11-point lead. St. Thomas continued to battle, trading baskets with the Cobbers, but the deficit was too much. Concordia-Moorhead finished the game 19-25 from the free throw line. Emily Thesing scored 15 points off the bench for the Cobbers.
For the Tommies, Young scored a career-high 22 points, and Townsend also set a new career high with 18.
Season thoughts
Going into the game, Townsend said she anticipated a chance for the Tommies to prove themselves after losing a home game to Concordia during the regular season.
“My only thoughts going into this game was, ‘This is ours,’” Townsend said. “Not only was this a game to win the MIAC tournament and send us to the NCAAs, but it was revenge. They had beat us once before on our floor this season, and I was determined to not let that happen again.”
Townsend said although the lost was difficult, she was pleased with her teammates’ performances.
“I think our team did as much as [it] could,” Townsend said. “I felt we gave our best shot and sometimes that just isn’t enough.”
As a senior, Townsend said she could not be happier with her time on the team and hopes the team’s future will be successful.
“This team has become my family, and I am so lucky to have shared such precious moments with them,” she said. “I love my girls, and when I play, I play for them. They mean the world to me, and I hope I have been able to be a good captain and leader for them.
“This team is very young and has so much potential. I think people see that.”
Sinn shared the same sentiment.
“These seniors have done a beautiful job of sharing who they are and giving to our St. Thomas program,” Sinn said. “I can’t speak enough about what incredible people they have been. They’ve been completely gracious, respectful role models of our program, and I’m really proud to have coached all three of them.”
The Division III playoffs will be announced at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28. The Tommies hope to gain an at-large bid after capturing a MIAC regular-season title and reaching 20 victories.
“I’m hoping to hear that the St. Thomas women have a bid and that they’re going somewhere,” Sinn said. “We don’t care where we’re going. We’ll go anywhere.”
Rebecca Omastiak can be reached at omas5009@stthomas.edu.