Forward Ryan Boll scored 17 points with 13 rebounds as the St. Thomas men’s basketball team defeated Saint Mary’s 65-57 Wednesday at Schoenecker Arena, securing a bye in the first round of next week’s MIAC tournament.
The Tommies (18-6 overall, 14-5 MIAC) led the Cardinals (6-17 overall, 4-15 MIAC) for most of the game, last trailing when it was 7-6, about three minutes into the contest.
St. Thomas coach John Tauer credits much of the team’s success to its work on the glass.
“I thought (Boll) and Jordan Burich combining for 28 rebounds was very impressive and a big part of our victory.”
Saint Mary’s finished the game with only 27 rebounds as team.
Despite a big advantage for the Tommies in rebounds, the Cardinals kept the score close for much of the contest.
Momentum swung in St. Thomas’ favor though when guard Grant Shaeffer caught an inbound pass while running at full speed with 3.3 seconds left in the first half. He dribbled the ball the length of the court and pulled up for a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Tommies a 34-24 lead at the break.
“Grant has hit a lot of big shots for us over the years, and he’s outstanding with clock management,” Tauer said. “He knows, down to the dribble, how much time he has to get a good shot, and we are fortunate that it went in.”
Though the Tommies had a double digit lead, the Cardinals did not go down quietly, cutting the St. Thomas lead to three at 41-38 with 13:08 to go in the game.
Three was the closest Saint Mary’s got. On the next possession, Shaeffer missed a three-point attempt but got his own rebound and passed to guard Michael Hannon, who knocked down a wide open three in the corner.
“You could look at that play as a turning point to build some momentum,” Shaeffer said. “Plus, if Mike’s got his feet set and he’s shooting, he’s as good as anyone so we like that shot.”
After Hannon’s three, the Cardinals never cut the Tommie lead to less than six points.
The win guarantees the Tommies either first or second place in the MIAC, meaning St. Thomas will have a bye through the first round of the MIAC playoffs that start Feb. 21.
Prior to the playoffs for the Tommies is their season finale at Concordia-Moorhead on Saturday. St. Thomas beat the Cobbers 90-58 on Jan. 14.
St. Thomas would win the MIAC regular season championship and gain the top seed in the playoffs with a win over Concordia because current leader Bethel has already finished its regular season and a Tommie win would leave the teams tied.
The Tommies own the tiebreaker over the Royals having beaten them twice during the season.
“We need to win to win the conference so we have to do that,” Boll said. “It’ll be a great game, they have good guys, it’s their senior night and it’s their coach’s last game so I think this win gives us confidence and will help us moving forward.”
Concordia coach Rich Glas announced in December that he would be retiring at the end of the season.
Taylor Smith can be reached at smit9660@stthomas.edu.