University of St. Thomas Athletics
Thursday, December 1
Orem, Utah
7:00 p.m. Central
at
Utah Valley
Photo by: Kylie Macziewski
St. Thomas continues three-game road trip at Utah Valley Thursday
11/30/2022 10:25:00 AM | Women's Basketball
St. Paul, Minn. -- St. Thomas Women's Basketball continues its three-game road trip Thursday, Dec. 1 with a 7 p.m. (CT) tip-off at Utah Valley. The Tommies and Wolverines meet for the first time ever from the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah.
The Last Time Out
St. Thomas Women's Basketball overcame a 12-point second-half deficit but fell in overtime at UIC, 75-71, Sunday afternoon.
Maggie Negaard's first 3-pointer of the game started a 9-3 run for St. Thomas to begin the second half, bringing the deficit to six, 47-41. Following back-to-back scores from the Flames, the Tommies finished the third quarter on a 10-4 run, going 5-of-7 from the field, to trail 55-51.
St. Thomas' strong second-half defense continued into the fourth quarter, limiting UIC to nine points over the final 10 minutes. The Tommies went on an 8-1 run over a near three-minute span to nab a 64-60 lead with 1:46 to play. The Flames converted two layups within the final minute to force overtime.
In the overtime period, Jordyn Lamker scored four of the Tommies' first five points to take a 69-67 lead. The Flames held the Tommies to 1-of-5 shooting over the final 1:35 of overtime to secure the victory. Lamker totaled six points in overtime to finish with a team-high 14 points.
Lamker went 6-of-10 shooting and was one of four Tommies with double-digit scoring. Negaard, Jade Hill and Jo Langbehn all totaled 11 points while Sammy Opichka pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
Scouting Utah Valley
Utah Valley is 1-4 this season having lost four straight games, most recently in a 73-55 decision at Portland State. UVU's lone win of the season came in the season opener Nov. 7, 59-54, over Park University.
Jaeden Brown leads the Wolverines and is the only player in double figures with 10.2 points per game. She's shooting 41.3 percent from the field and also leads the team with 6.0 rebounds per game.
As a team, UVU is shooting 34.6 percent from the floor and 19.0 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 44.6 points per game. Utah Valley gives away 20.2 turnovers that leads to 26.0 points off turnovers per game.
Series History
The Tommies and Wolverines have never played.
New to the Elevation
Thursday will be just the second time over the past two seasons that the Tommies will play at elevation. Orem, Utah is 4,774 feet above sea-level, 505 feet lower than Denver where St. Thomas played during the Summit League schedule a season ago. The Tommies follow up with another game at elevation on Saturday, Dec. 3 with a trip to face Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho (4,462').
The trip will also be the longest of the season, totaling 2,703 miles round trip from St. Paul to Orem to Pocatello and back home again. That's just 200 miles shy of the distance from San Francisco to New York City.
Pulling Down the Boards
St. Thomas has outrebounded its opponents in four of five games this season. The Tommies recorded more rebounds than their opponents eight times last season, going 4-4 in those games. The Purple have shown success limiting opponents' rebounds this season, ranking just outside the top 50 in the nation with 32.4 rebounds allowed per game.
Running Point
Sophomore Jade Hill has scored in double digits every game this season and led the Tommies in scoring in two games. She tied a career-high 24 points in the Nov. 19 win over Presbyterian and set a season-high six assists Nov. 15 at Illinois State. Hill has led the team in assists in four of five games.
Sophomore Alexis Pratt recorded her first double-digit scoring game with the Tommies on 10 points against Presbyterian. She added three assists against PC and set a new season-high with four at UIC.
Sammy 2-O
Sophomore Sammy Opichka went off for a career-high 20 points Nov. 15 at Illinois State. She was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, 2-of-2 from 3-point range and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. She also pulled down a career-high eight rebounds, including three offensive rebounds that were converted for six second-chance points.
Opichka's previous career high was nine points set Jan. 15, 2022 at home against North Dakota, where she also set a career high six rebounds. The game against the Red Birds was just the third time in 19 games Opichka has scored over five points.
This is the first instance of a Tommie recording at least 20 points and 8 rebounds in a game since Macy Hatlestad recorded 26 points and nine rebounds Feb. 3, 2021 against Bethel. It's also the first time a Tommie went at least 6-of-6 from the field since Langbehn went 6-of-6 against Oral Roberts on Feb. 5, 2022.
Where Are My Upperclassmen At?
Graduate student Autam Mendez, and seniors Jordyn Glynn and Maggie Negaard are the only three upperclassmen on the team. The 2022-23 Tommies are comprised of three upperclassmen, eight sophomores, two redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen.
Glynn is the only member of the team who was with the program during its NCAA DIII days. She played in 24 games with 17 starts last season to average 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 points per game. Glynn is averaging 4.2 rebounds per game this season, totaling at least four in four games. She scored her first points of the season Nov. 27 at UIC.
Negaard played her first season with the Tommies in 2021-22 after transferring in from Drake. She made 24 starts in 27 games played and averaged 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. This season, Negaard has led the Tommies in scoring once, totaling 15 points in the win over South Carolina State.
Mendez makes her Tommie debut this season after playing at San Jose State from 2020-22 and at North Iowa Area Community College from 2018-20. Mendez pulled down two rebounds in nine minutes against South Carolina State.
NCAA Division I Year One in Review
Head Coach Ruth Sinn leads the Tommies into year two of NCAA Division I play after a 7-21 campaign, including a 4-14 mark in the Summit League, last season.
The Tommies bring back nine returners, including three starters, and welcome in six newcomers. Seniors Jordyn Glynn and Maggie Negaard, along with sophomore Jade Hill, were each consistent starters a year ago.
The first Summit League victory for St. Thomas came at home against Denver on Dec. 22, 56-48. The Tommies concluded their first Division I season with a 61-56 road win at Omaha.
Hill played the most minutes per game of any women's freshman player in DI hoops in 2021-22. Hill averaged 36.15 minutes over 28 games. (Only one freshman DI men's player, Trey Townsend of Oakland at 36.24, had a higher per-game average.) Hill also led the entire Summit League in minutes per game.
Follow Along
For more information on St. Thomas Women's Basketball, follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieWBBall
Join Us
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2022 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
The Last Time Out
St. Thomas Women's Basketball overcame a 12-point second-half deficit but fell in overtime at UIC, 75-71, Sunday afternoon.
Maggie Negaard's first 3-pointer of the game started a 9-3 run for St. Thomas to begin the second half, bringing the deficit to six, 47-41. Following back-to-back scores from the Flames, the Tommies finished the third quarter on a 10-4 run, going 5-of-7 from the field, to trail 55-51.
St. Thomas' strong second-half defense continued into the fourth quarter, limiting UIC to nine points over the final 10 minutes. The Tommies went on an 8-1 run over a near three-minute span to nab a 64-60 lead with 1:46 to play. The Flames converted two layups within the final minute to force overtime.
In the overtime period, Jordyn Lamker scored four of the Tommies' first five points to take a 69-67 lead. The Flames held the Tommies to 1-of-5 shooting over the final 1:35 of overtime to secure the victory. Lamker totaled six points in overtime to finish with a team-high 14 points.
Lamker went 6-of-10 shooting and was one of four Tommies with double-digit scoring. Negaard, Jade Hill and Jo Langbehn all totaled 11 points while Sammy Opichka pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
Scouting Utah Valley
Utah Valley is 1-4 this season having lost four straight games, most recently in a 73-55 decision at Portland State. UVU's lone win of the season came in the season opener Nov. 7, 59-54, over Park University.
Jaeden Brown leads the Wolverines and is the only player in double figures with 10.2 points per game. She's shooting 41.3 percent from the field and also leads the team with 6.0 rebounds per game.
As a team, UVU is shooting 34.6 percent from the floor and 19.0 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 44.6 points per game. Utah Valley gives away 20.2 turnovers that leads to 26.0 points off turnovers per game.
Series History
The Tommies and Wolverines have never played.
New to the Elevation
Thursday will be just the second time over the past two seasons that the Tommies will play at elevation. Orem, Utah is 4,774 feet above sea-level, 505 feet lower than Denver where St. Thomas played during the Summit League schedule a season ago. The Tommies follow up with another game at elevation on Saturday, Dec. 3 with a trip to face Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho (4,462').
The trip will also be the longest of the season, totaling 2,703 miles round trip from St. Paul to Orem to Pocatello and back home again. That's just 200 miles shy of the distance from San Francisco to New York City.
Pulling Down the Boards
St. Thomas has outrebounded its opponents in four of five games this season. The Tommies recorded more rebounds than their opponents eight times last season, going 4-4 in those games. The Purple have shown success limiting opponents' rebounds this season, ranking just outside the top 50 in the nation with 32.4 rebounds allowed per game.
Running Point
Sophomore Jade Hill has scored in double digits every game this season and led the Tommies in scoring in two games. She tied a career-high 24 points in the Nov. 19 win over Presbyterian and set a season-high six assists Nov. 15 at Illinois State. Hill has led the team in assists in four of five games.
Sophomore Alexis Pratt recorded her first double-digit scoring game with the Tommies on 10 points against Presbyterian. She added three assists against PC and set a new season-high with four at UIC.
Sammy 2-O
Sophomore Sammy Opichka went off for a career-high 20 points Nov. 15 at Illinois State. She was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, 2-of-2 from 3-point range and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. She also pulled down a career-high eight rebounds, including three offensive rebounds that were converted for six second-chance points.
Opichka's previous career high was nine points set Jan. 15, 2022 at home against North Dakota, where she also set a career high six rebounds. The game against the Red Birds was just the third time in 19 games Opichka has scored over five points.
This is the first instance of a Tommie recording at least 20 points and 8 rebounds in a game since Macy Hatlestad recorded 26 points and nine rebounds Feb. 3, 2021 against Bethel. It's also the first time a Tommie went at least 6-of-6 from the field since Langbehn went 6-of-6 against Oral Roberts on Feb. 5, 2022.
Where Are My Upperclassmen At?
Graduate student Autam Mendez, and seniors Jordyn Glynn and Maggie Negaard are the only three upperclassmen on the team. The 2022-23 Tommies are comprised of three upperclassmen, eight sophomores, two redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen.
Glynn is the only member of the team who was with the program during its NCAA DIII days. She played in 24 games with 17 starts last season to average 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 points per game. Glynn is averaging 4.2 rebounds per game this season, totaling at least four in four games. She scored her first points of the season Nov. 27 at UIC.
Negaard played her first season with the Tommies in 2021-22 after transferring in from Drake. She made 24 starts in 27 games played and averaged 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. This season, Negaard has led the Tommies in scoring once, totaling 15 points in the win over South Carolina State.
Mendez makes her Tommie debut this season after playing at San Jose State from 2020-22 and at North Iowa Area Community College from 2018-20. Mendez pulled down two rebounds in nine minutes against South Carolina State.
NCAA Division I Year One in Review
Head Coach Ruth Sinn leads the Tommies into year two of NCAA Division I play after a 7-21 campaign, including a 4-14 mark in the Summit League, last season.
The Tommies bring back nine returners, including three starters, and welcome in six newcomers. Seniors Jordyn Glynn and Maggie Negaard, along with sophomore Jade Hill, were each consistent starters a year ago.
The first Summit League victory for St. Thomas came at home against Denver on Dec. 22, 56-48. The Tommies concluded their first Division I season with a 61-56 road win at Omaha.
Hill played the most minutes per game of any women's freshman player in DI hoops in 2021-22. Hill averaged 36.15 minutes over 28 games. (Only one freshman DI men's player, Trey Townsend of Oakland at 36.24, had a higher per-game average.) Hill also led the entire Summit League in minutes per game.
Follow Along
For more information on St. Thomas Women's Basketball, follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieWBBall
Join Us
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2022 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballTommie Women's Basketball Intro Video 2025
Wednesday, November 12
Jade Hill School of Education Feature
Thursday, February 27
Press Conference: Tommie Women's Basketball Postgame vs ORU 02/26/25
Thursday, February 27
Press Conference: Tommie Women's Basketball Summit League Tournament Preview
Monday, March 04
