Junior guard John Nance’s game-high 20 points led the men’s basketball team (16-6 overall, 13-4 MIAC) to a 62-54 win over Concordia-Moorhead (7-15 overall, 5-12 MIAC) Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.
The Tommies clinched a conference playoff berth with the win and remained one game behind first-place Gustavus with three games left in the MIAC race. St. Thomas needs two wins in its final three games to secure a first-round playoff bye.
“I think any win is important,” coach John Tauer said. “But certainly bouncing back [from a loss to St. John’s at home last week], it was a huge win for us in a number of ways.”
Both teams went on scoring rallies early in the game, and kept it close for most of the first half. With 10:35 left in the first half, the Cobbers made a run, putting them up 14-12.
Solid defense from junior guard Will DeBerg and sophomore forward Zach Riedeman helped kill the Cobbers’ run by forcing a key steal that shifted the momentum in St. Thomas’ favor. The Tommies went into halftime leading 36-29.
At halftime, St. Thomas dedicated the Schoenecker Arena scoreboard to former Tommie Henry G. Nachtsheim. Nachtsheim played for St. Thomas in the 1940’s before serving in World War II and eventually becoming a professor at the university.
Second half heroics
Concordia junior forward Ebo Nana-Kweson came up big for the Cobbers in the second half, leading an 8-2 run against the Tommies by himself. Nana-Kweson’s strong play helped bring Concordia back within three points.
A battle for a loose ball with 3:03 left went to the floor, and before the referee was able to whistle a travel, Tauer called a key timeout, keeping the momentum in St. Thomas’ favor.
After a St. Thomas shot-clock violation, the Cobbers were able to hit a few baskets that brought them within five points with just under three minutes left. The game looked all but over for the Cobbers when Nance hit a key jumper with 2:03 to go, but Concordia junior forward Brandon Fisher hit a clutch 3-pointer to make the score 53-52.
The Tommies were able to bounce back with a great play from Nance. He recorded a steal, a rebound and six points with under a minute left in the game. On the last play of the game, Nance heaved a pass down the court to Riedeman, who dunked the ball and secured a 62-54 victory for St. Thomas.
“You always know John’s gonna come through in the end,” Riedeman said. “[He’s] consistent, and he is always gonna get his [points].”
Nance and Riedeman both played well in the victory, but it was the team effort that impressed Tauer.
“When it got close at the end, I was very proud of how [the team] executed on both ends,” Tauer said.
St. Thomas will face Carleton Monday at home, and Tauer expressed the importance of his team staying balanced on both sides of the court to keep the momentum going into the MIAC playoffs.
Tauer also said that the crowd was great at Saturday’s game, and he hopes the team continues to see the same support from the fans.
Nick McAndrews can be reached at mcan1933@stthomas.edu.