University of St. Thomas Athletics
Augsburg
Ike, Schnettler rally Toms
2/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Senior center Isaac "Ike" Rosefelt had 26 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks and Bryan Schnettler scored 22 of his 25 points after halftime to lead No. 3-ranked St. Thomas to an 80-75 win at Augsburg in MIAC men's basketball Monday night in Minneapolis.
It was Rosefelt's 40th career double double. Mike Keating added seven points and 12 rebounds, and Lonnie Robinson had 10 points, five assists and four steals.
The Tommies (20-2 overall, 16-1 MIAC) have won 14 of their last 15 and remained alone in the MIAC lead by one game over St. John's, a home winner over Macalester. The Toms posted their second two-overtime win of the season and third overall OT road victory.
It was a struggle, but the Toms became the second Division III men's team this season to reach 20 victories. They secured a 20-win season for the 12th time in the last 18 years.
The Toms trailed 29-24 at halftime and were still down 41-34 with 14:00 left. They never had a lead larger than five points until the closing seconds. Rosefelt made two clutch free throws with 18 seconds left for a 60-57 lead, but Augsburg freshman Jon Cassens hit a 3-pointer with :05 left in regulation to forge a 60-60 tie. The Toms' long shot to win fell short.
After Schnettler's trey tied the game with 57 seconds left in the first OT, UST later had the last possession with the score 67-67 but was unable to get a shot.
Brett Tuma's only basket of the game gave the Toms a 76-72 lead with 45 seconds left in the second OT. Schnettler went 8-for-8 from the foul line including all four in the final 18 seconds to help ice the victory. Schnettler made his last 26 free throws of last season and is 54-of-58 at the line this season. He knocked own 5-of-9 from 3-point range and now has 275 treys in 76 career games at UST. He needs three 3-point baskets to pass MIAC all-game leader Patrick Russell of Macalester (277).
Femi Solaja had 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Auggies, who lost their seventh in a row despite another strong effort against UST.
St. Thomas plays Wednesday at Gustavus (5:45 p.m.) and is home Saturday to face Concordia.
