University of St. Thomas Athletics
30-1
Washington (Mo.)
27-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Univ. of St. Thomas | 41 | 23 | 64 |
| Washington Univ. (Mo | 33 | 46 | 79 |
Gene's Blog: In game blog starts fun, ends on downer
3/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Welcome to another in-game edition of Gene's Blog from King Arena in Wheaton, Ill. Another tough test awaits St. Thomas with a Final Four berth at stake. Washington U. of St. Louis (26-2) and UST (30-0) tip off at 7 p.m. tonight.
You can listen to the UST student webcast here: www.mnsportsnetwork.com
You can access the live video here: http://www.d3hoops.com/audio/
There's also a live stats link here:
http://livestats.internetconsult.com/wheaton/mbball/
If you missed it, here's a Saturday morning game story in the Pioneer Press written by Chicago sportwriter Jack McCarthy:
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_11909232?nclick_check=1
Getting Ready
Wheaton remodeled its gym 10 years ago and put in theatre seats on four sides of the court. the added a weight room and new offices in what's a smaller version of the Tommies' planned $52 million Anderson Athletics and Recreation Complex. Wheaton will celebrate its 150th anniversary next yer and have a large building named after Billy Graham.
The Tommies were hoping for something special in their 100th season of varsity basketball, and so far they've given us all a great ride.
About 500 Tommie fans made the seven-hour trek, and tonight will be another neutral court as host Wheaton (with its potential of 1600 fans) lost 55-52 last night to Wash U.
Tonight's winner plays next weekend in Salem, Va., in the D-III Final Four.
Of 410 teams in men's Division III basketball, just eight are still alive, including only five ranked teams (Nos. 1-2-6-22-23).
The Toms are believed to be the first MIAC team in any sport ever to start a season 30-0. UST had previous 27-0 starts in men's and women's basketball in the 1990s but those teams were sidelined in the second round.
These schools have had some good postseason battles in softball but have never played in men's hoops.
St. Thomas has beaten No. 4 UW-Stevens Point and No. 7 Puget Sound in the last seven days. The Tommies' reward? Now they get to play No. 2-ranked and defending NCAA champ Bears of Wash. U. The tourney tested Bears have won nine consecutive NCAA playoff games and are 13-1 the last three NCAA tournaments, including nine wins in row. Wash U. placed third in the nation in 2007 and took first in 2008.
Wash U is 7-1 this season vs. ranked teams and sits among the national leaders in assists and fewest turnovers. The Bears return four starters from their NCAA champion team. The quick scouting report -- strong guards, good size, and they don't beat themselves.
Two veteran coaches square off tonight. The Bears' Mark Edwards has won 503 career games in 28 seasons and has had 25 consecutive winning seasons. UST's Steve Fritz has had only one losing season in 29 years and now has 541 victories.
Bad karma stat of the night: Wash U. shoots 75% from the foul line to UST's 68%. The Toms are 71-of-102 in their 5-0 postseason run thus far.
Good karma stat of the day: St. Thomas has won its last 18 Saturday games over the last 14 months.
These schools rank in the top 15 Division III in top-two NCAA team finishes in all sports -- Wash. U has 15 titles and 10 runners-up, and UST has 11 national championships and 10 runners-up.
More incentive: The Toms are looking to win four NCAA playoff games for the first time in school history. The 1993-94 Final Four team had a bye and three wins then lost twice in Buffalo to take fourth.
Both Wash. U and St. Thomas are assured of a top-five national finish as tonight's losers share fifth place for NACDA Directors Cupall-sport purposes.
Over the last three seasons, St. Thomas is 77-9 and Wash. U is 76-13.
Let's hope it's not an omen: Today in women's ice hockey, another MIAC No. 1-ranked team lost as Gustavus fell 2-1 in the national quarterfinals at home to UW-River Falls.
Toms will wear purple tonight and the Bears are the home team on the board and wear white. The Toms have had two significant wins in purple in the last 16 months -- the Winona State upset in November 2007 and the Concordia-St. Paul comeback win Dec. 30.
Amog the Tommie alums here to watch is second-year Loras head coach Greg Gorton, a former Tommie player and assistant coach under Steve Fritz.
Another former Tommie player who just stopped by is Mike Bergan, the point guard on the 27-1 Tommie team of 1994-95, the first UST team to go 20-0 ion the conference. Mike lives in Chicago.
Coach Fritz was interviewed live this afternoon on WCCO Radio by Steve Thomson and Eric Nelson.
20:00 Until Tipoff
Tommie fans are chanting "You're not ready" to the Wash. U team. Don't expect chants to rattle the Bears, but some good runs by the Tommies tonight could make it loud. UST appears to have a 2-to-1 advantage in fans and a 10-to-1 advantage in students.
The Tommies are 46-1 in the last 15 months when they score 60 or more points and 83-4 in recent years when they score 68 or more.
The Toms have been on a roller coaster offensively in their 5-0 postseason start -- 90 points vs. Gusties, 68 vs. Bethel, 96 vs. Aurora, 53 vs. Stevens Point and 86 vs. Puget Sound. Look for tonight's game to be in the 55 to 65 point range for the winner.
Wheaton remodeled its gym 10 years ago and put in theatre seats on four sides of the court. The added a weight room and new offices in what's a smaller version of the Tommies' planned $52 million Anderson Athletics and Recreation Complex. Wheaton will celebrate its 150th anniversary next yer and have a large building named after Billy Graham.
Lonnie and freshman Peter Leslie have the mohawk haicuts again tonight.
Let's Play
Steve Fritz looks relaxed as the teams are ready to take the court.
Bears win tip, McCoy quick hands steal. UST miss.
Bears have sweet cutter play for 2.
Scott misses trey, rebound WU.
Good defense do far both ways.
Good pass, WU knocks down 2 4-0 lead, 2:00 in.
Lonnie answers short 2, 4-2
WU miss.
Lonnie for 33333333! 5-4 Toms
WU turnover, UST break clocked shot, UST ball.
WU fast breal layup on 2-on-1, 6-5 Bears
McCoy drives but misses inside, WU rebound.
Open look for 3 for Wallis, 9-5 Bears. Good passing bu Bears.
WU foul, 1 foul each team. 15:28 media time out, Toms down 4 with ball.
---
McCoy miss, WU rebound but tavels. Scott for 33333!
WU nice pass, basketball inside. 11-8 Bears.
Viau answers with 2, 11-10.
WU goes inside again and gets 2.
Lonnie misses, WU rebound.
Scott gets second steal, but WU gets block on what looked like a hard foul.
WU inside back shot, 15-10 Bears lead. Story so far is Bears passing and ball moevment.
Viau inside two, 15-12 WU.
Teddy Archer in for Lonnie.
WU turnover and foul. Third foul on WU.
Fast breal lng pass for two. WU up 17-12, seventh layup.
Illiegal screen on UST, second team foul. Media time out, 11:41 left, Toms down 17-12.
--
Two turnovers in row by Bears off UST press, Tuma layup makes it 17-14.
UST turnover, Archer foul, 3 fouls each way.
Another iside layup for WU, 19-14.
Stripl bal;l, lopmg oulet pass for WU, Tuma fouls to prevent layup. UST takes timeout. Wash U has hit one trey and eight baskets, all inside with sharp movement and passing.
The WU defense has some long arms and good size and have some blocked shots.
WU shoots two FT with 10:10 left, misses both, still 19-14 lead.
Tumw dish inside to Viau for 2.
Fastbreak Toms, Lonnie converts tough bank shot 2.
UST steals off press, Healy layup 2, UST leads 20-19. First lead of game, 9:15 left.
UST called for foul, fifth team foul. Last four have been whistled on Toms.
Jump ball, possession Toms. Crowd getting loud. Viau backdoor pass to Healy for 2. It's an 8-0 run for Toms.
Offensive foul on Wash U. Since last timeout and Lonnie reentered, Toms are different team.
Wallis back in for WU.
WU steal and layup, 22-21 Toms.
WU penetrate, dish to corner for 3. Bears up 24-22.
Wow. Great pace. Media time out. Toms weather storm, Bears get fifth foul.
---
Brady Ervin and Peltier in game.
Tyler miss 3, Viau rebound dish to Peltier bank shot 2. Tie game 24-24.
Toms get steal fastbreak Viau assist to Peltier for 2, Toms 26-24.
WU in trouble, almost get 10-second call. uses time out.
SAteal, Brady Ervin knocks dowmn 12-footer, Toms up 4.
Wallis great no-look pass for another inside two. That kid is good.
Nicolai for 3333333!
Another Bears turnover on press. Toms up 31-26 on 9-2 tun, have ball.
Scott misses trey, WU rebound, foul Ervin, sixth team foul.
---
WU iunside 2 again. UST misses but gets steal, Nicolai pulls up 33333333!
UST rebounds WU miss but misses shot an WU rebounds. 3:20 left in half, Toms up six.
Tough 3 goes for WU, 34-31
Nicolai dirve 2 -- Toms last eight points by Tyler. 36-31
Offensive foul WU, six each way.
Archer gets seventh foul, Bears shhoot 1-and-1. 1:51 left in half, Bbears miss FT (#21 0-for-3)
Archer drives hard for bank 2. UST biggest lead 38-31.
Viau gets second foul, he's coming out. Bears shoot 1-and-1, 1:27 left in half, Wallis makes 2, 38-33.
Nicolai fade 2, 40-33 Toms, 1:00 left.
WU misses close shot, jump ball possession Toms. Loud crowd clearly helping Toms.
UST steal, fgastbreak, foul on WU --7th, Brady Ervin shoots 2, 38 seconds left in half. Misses first makes second. 41-33.
Toms really grabbed momentum with press and forced turnovers.
Wallis turnover, 10 seconds left in half. Wallis is tremendous player but has had several miscues against UST tight defense.
Nicolai misses tough shot, but Toms go in halftime leading 41-33, 19-9 run over last 7:30 of half.
---
WU has 17 turnovers to just five for Tommies. A rash of layups gelp the Bears shot 75% from floor to Toms' 50%. Bears have 15-10 rebound advantage and four blocks to none. Wash U average just 12 turnovers a game and had 14 last night against tough Wheaton team.
Three players have two fouls -- Viau and Archer for Toms and center Tyler Nading for WU. Nading and Aaron Thompson have 10 points each and Wallis has seven points, six assists but four turnovers.
Nicolai has 10 points, Lonnie has seven and Viau has six points, six assists. UST has 15-2 edge in bench points.
Toms ready for tough 20 minutes.
--
WU had three had four guys play 17 or more minutes in first nhalf. Will fatigue be a factor?
Toms get ball to start half. Miss shot and tip, WU rebound.
Great defense Toms, WU miss, UST rebound.
Turnover UST on inside pass.
WU mises layup under pressure UST rebound
Foul inside on Bears.
Lonnie misses 6-footer, WU board
WU backdoor layup 2, 41-35.
Viau miss, WU board.
Wallis turnover, UST fastt break, Nicolai 2, 43-35.
Lonnie gets second foul. Lonnie gets tird foul moments later. He'll come out, Archer in.
Wallis 3 from corner, 43-38.
Ust turnover
WU miss gets long rebound. WU drives for 2, 43-40.
Tyler miss trey, foul McCoy, media timeout, 14:54 left, Bears have momentum.
--
WU isnide 2, 43-42, Bears on 9-2 run to start second half.
Foul on Bears.
UST turnover, WU fast break pullup 3 is good. Bears lead 45-43.
Toms miss, foul over the back. Toms have Viau, Lonnie, McCoy on bench. Need a stop here.
WU turnover.
Peltier miss inside, another fast break inside bucket for Bears. 14-2 Bears run. Foul on WU.
Lonnie, Viau, McCoy back in. Big possession for Toms.
Missed third bunny in a row for Toms, WU board
Bears for 3 from corner, lead 50-43. Time out Toms. 11:45 left in game. 17-2 run for Bears.
Toms have missed easy shots and Scott and Nicolai aren't getting looks. Lot of time. Need to be patient and work for good shot. Try to get some full-court press.
---
Scott for 333333!
But WU gets 3 by Wallis, and Toms streak back for fast break 2. Media tiomeout 10:58 to go, Toms fouled underneath, fifth team foul, WU shoots 2, makes both. 55-48.
Tuma drives gard for 2, foul, chance at 3-point play. misses, 55-50, 10:51 left.
Insuide 2 on tough shot, UST turnover, Bears up 57-50 10:01 left.
Viau gets third foul, WU shoots two. Nading makes both, 59-50. Toms can't keep giving foul shots as WU sgoots 75%. 9:48 left.
Nading gets third foul, he has 14 points.
Nicolai back in for Tuma. Toms need 2.
Toms miss, WU rebound fast break 2, down 11 with 9:00 to go.
UST time out. Ir's a 28-9 run to start half for Bears.
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Bears foul twice in row, seventh foul McCoy makes two free throws 61-52 deficit, 8:46 left.
Scpot called for second foul on missed shot by WU -- Bears shoot 1-and-1, miss, her come Toms down nine.
UST misses shot and two tips, WU rebounds.
WU misses trey gets long rebound. All breaks going to Bears. Toms need to hang in.
Brady misses layup, 6:30 left Toms down 9. Need a stop.
McCoy foul, at least 1-and-1. Media time out. Toms need to start making shots as WU will soon be in double bonus. 6:17 left, Bears have chance to go up 10 or 11.
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Bears miss FT but Toms miss twice, Bears make long 2, lead 63-52 with 5L:19 left. Toms have just 11 point in 14 minutes. UST trying to press
Lonnie gets cheap foul, his fourth team ninth. Bears shoot 1-and-1, make both. Lead 13 with 5:03 to go. Toms need to crack up offense.
UST drives inside misses again, WU fast break makes two, leads by 15 4:35 left. Bracket of Death has Toms in its grips.
Nicolai long 33333 with man in his face! Hope it's not too late. 4:27 to go, Bears up 67-55. Foul in Bears. McCoy misses FT, foul on Toms, 10th team foul. 4:25 to go. Toms are going to needs 3s and WU turnovers to try to get this back within five by 90 seconds left.
WU misses 1 of 2 free throws, 68-55 lead.
Ervin drives for 2, lead 11.
Almost 10 second violation, WU timeout, 4:03 left, Toms down 11.
---Fastbreak dunk for Bears.
UST long miss, WU rebound, Toms foul. Viau fourth foul. 3:14 left. Toms in a big hole. Nading makes 2 FT again. WU has killed Toms at foul line. 72-57 lead
Toms need a rash of 3s and some steals.
Lonnie misses trey, UST foul on rebound. 3:01 left. Toms anging by a thread, WU makes two, lead 74-57.
That's 41 second-half points for Bears. They are showing whey theyhave been a dominat team last three seaosns.
WU foul, Scott to line. Scott has just six points have been locked down by good D. Scott misses 1-and-1, WU rebound, but Bears turnover at other end.
2:43 to go. Toms down 15. They rallied from 15 down in a 5:00 run against Bethel.
Another missed lsayup, WU converrts with Wallis to Nading play plkus the foul. Made free throw and lead is 20.
Wallis will have double double in points and assists. Nading has 16 second-half points.
Long trey by Tyler rims out, 1:55 left, Bears can burn clock. Coacg Fritz bribg all subs in.
Bears miss Toms get long trey for Heay. Time out Toms 1:26 left, 77-60. Toms won first half but Bears won second half big time.
Another backdoor layup for Bears. They are shooting about 65%.
Dunk Halvo, UST gets steal, another Anders dunk, under 45 seccnds, Toms down 79-64.
--
Final stats show how WU did it. 40-20 advantage rebounds, 67% shooting from floor, 14-3 edge in FT scoring. Joe Scott held to six points. Toms 26-15 edge in bench scoring but even that turned WU's way in last 20 minutes.
Emotional locker room for UST as four seniors face reality that excellent careers are over. Fans gave Toms loud, long ovation when they come back onto floor.
"If it didn't mean anything, it wouldn't hurt so much," Coach Fritz told his players in the locker room. "There's a reason why guys like to hire former athetes, because they get knocked down and they pick themselves right back up and move forward. And we'll do that. To win 30 games in a row is something very few teams ever do. You have so much to be proud of and be grateful for."
For a guy who hasn't had to console his players in defeat in the last 53 weeks, Coach Fritz said the right things with the right tone. He said what everyone's red eyes and long faces didn't already say. Toms still tie for fifth in nation and in time will have much to savor on the long ride over the last 16 months.
Bears' Sean Wallis 13 points, 11 assists, Tyler Nading 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists. Bears now 14-1 in NCAA playoffs over last three seasons. Tyler Nading 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists. Bears win despite 22 turnovers, but only five of those in second half.
Toms shoot 9-of-30 second half and finish 41% on game. Nicolai leads with 15 points, B.J. Viau no second half points but finished with six points and career-high nine assists. Toms only have nine turnovers but go just 3-of-7 at foul line to WU's 14-of-20.
(end)
