Women’s basketball advances after 68-62 thriller

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For the second straight season, the St. Thomas women’s basketball team eliminated University of Chicago in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Schoenecker Arena, this time with a 68-62 March 3 win off of center Hannah Spaulding’s stat-stuffing 19 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks.

Guard Maddie Wolkow maneuvers inside the paint against the University of Chicago defense. Wolkow connected on a three-point shot with 21 seconds left in the game to seal the victory for the Tommies. (Photo courtesy of Haley Staffon/Tommie Sports)

After leading by 14 points at the half, the No. 6-ranked Tommies (27-2) found themselves only up one against the No. 9-ranked Maroons (24-3) with under 30 seconds to play.

“In the second half, we lost the momentum,” coach Ruth Sinn said, “but I was really proud of the girls and how they finished out the game, even though things weren’t going our way.”

The calm and collected Maddie Wolkow, as she has done time and time again in her four years at St. Thomas, came through for her team. With 21 ticks on the clock left, the senior guard nailed a trey that sealed St. Thomas’ berth to the Sweet 16.

“We do plays like that everyday,” Wolkow said. “ It was just grab it and go.”

Chicago guard Mia Ferrell was a big culprit of why the Tommies saw their lead shrink. She scored 19 of her 23 points in the second half.

“We let her off, and you can’t do that with her,” Sinn said. “She’s just too good.”

Despite Ferrell’s stellar play, St. Thomas kept its composure and came out with the win.

“When we get in a situation, whether we’re down by four with eight seconds left against Augsburg or in this position, we just keep focusing on what we have control of,” Sinn said.

Last season, the Maroons struggled to contain the 2016-2017 National Player of the Year Kaitlin Langer. Almost exactly a year later, the Maroons faced those same struggles in the form of Spaulding, who has done much of the same for the Tommies this season as Langer did last.

After sitting out the MIAC playoffs due to a concussion, Spaulding has seen the court in both tournament games.

“It was really great to be back,” Spaulding said.

Her coach was nothing but impressed with her performance.

“19 (points) and 17 (rebounds)?” Sinn said. “It’s fun to have her back.”

St. Thomas will meet East Texas Baptist University (24-6) next weekend in the Sweet 16. The NCAA will announce the date and location of the game later this week.

Gamiel Hall can be reached at hall0211@stthomas.edu.