University of St. Thomas Athletics
Bethel
Men's Basketball rallies late, edges Bethel 69-68
2/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Junior B.J. Viau hit two baskets to lead a game-closing 9-1 run in the final 2:40 as top-seed St. Thomas held off fifth-seed Bethel 69-68 in MIAC men's basketball playoff semifinals at UST's Schoenecker Arena.
The 21st-ranked Tommies (22-4) ran their MIAC home win streak to 33, won for the 12th time in 13 games, and beat the Royals for the ninth time in a row. UST will host second-seed Gustavus in Saturday's 7:30 p.m. championship game. It's St. Thomas' fourth consecutive berth in the playoff finals and 12th trip in 17 seasons. The Toms have won their last 10 MIAC semifinal playoff games at home in men's basketball.
Viau finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals, and freshman guard Tyler Nicolai added 17 points and five assists. Junior center Al McCoy had nine points and five rebounds and helped UST post a 23-14 edge in bench scoring. Bethel held UST's leading scorer Joe Scott to one field goal and five points and ended his streak of double-figure scoring games at 14.
Bethel (16-11), which had a four-game win streak halted with the season-ending defeat, shot 57% from the field but had 15 turnovers to just seven by the Tommies. Junior Tim Madson had 19 points, Mike Moberg had 16 points, and Shane Flannery chipped in 10 points.
Bethel used a 6-0 run to close the first half with a 38-30 lead. UST took its first lead of the second half at 51-49.
Flannery hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to put BU up 65-60 with 3:35 to play. Moments later, Madson scored to extend the margin to 67-60 with 2:50 remaining.
Viau's putback basket cut it to five, and after an inbounds steal, Nicolai drained his fifth 3-point basket of the game to make it 67-65 with 2:26 left.
After a BU miss, McCoy's basket tied the game with 1:55 left. Bethel made one of two free throws with 1:46 to go for its last lead at 68-67, then Viau had a putback of a miss at the other end with 1:33 left to give UST a 69-68 lead.
After each team had a scoreless possession, Bethel used its last time out with 27 seconds to go, and Madson then missed a go-ahead shot with :10 left. McCoy pulled down the rebound and was fouled. He missed the one-and-one foul shot with :08 left, but he hustled through the lane got the rebound and kept it alive. The ball was tied up with :04 to go, but UST had the possession arrow.
UST missed an shot on the inbounds play but Viau got the rebound and dribbled out the clock.
Click here for box score:
http://www.tommiesports.com/mbb/stats/2-28-mbb.htm
Click here to view or purchase Greg Smith sction photos:
Al McCoy (52) was huge down the stretch in UST's win. (Greg Smith photo)
B.J. Viau (22) had 16 of his 18 points in the second half. (Greg Smith photo)
Teddy Archer (right) and Tim Madson scramble for a loose ball. (Greg Smith photo)
Sam Eicher (right) is locked up inside with two Bethel big men. (Greg Smith photo)
Lonnie Robinson (24) helped hold MVP candidate Tim Madson to 6-of-12 shooting. (Greg Smith photo)
Teddy Archer added four points and four assists off the bench. (Greg Smith photo)
The Tommie fans watched UST run its MIAC home win streak to 33 games. (Greg Smith photo)
