University of St. Thomas Athletics
11-8,3-2Summit League
South Dakota
13-6,2-2Summit League
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Tommies lose at the buzzer against South Dakota
1/18/2024 9:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
St. Thomas loses a heartbreaker on a game-winning layup
ST. PAUL, Minn.- The University of St. Thomas women's basketball team was the victim of its own medicine Thursday evening. The Tommies lost in heartbreaking fashion, as South Dakota converted a last second layup to drop St. Thomas 63-61. With the loss, the Tommies are now 11-8 and 3-2 in Summit League play.
Recap
The Tommies got off to a hot start, taking an early 15-7 lead in the first quarter behind outstanding defense and a 6-11 shooting performance from the field. However, a 7-0 South Dakota run to close out the quarter would cut the St. Thomas lead to 15-14 by the end of the first quarter, one of the lowest for the Tommies in Summit League play this season.
After being outscored 7-0 to close the first quarter, St. Thomas struggled offensively to open the second. However, the Tommies continued to maintain a lead, though the Coyotes made things interesting in the closing minutes. Amber Scalia (Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater) gave the team a boost in the final minute, scoring five points to five St. Thomas a 30-24 lead to end the first half. The defense led the way in the first 20 minutes, as the Tommies compiled four blocks and six steals in the first half.
The second half got off to a similar start, as the defense paved the way for both teams. St. Thomas looked like it was in control for most of the third quarter, as the Tommies would use baskets from Jade Hill (Minneapolis, Minn. / South), Jo Langbehn (Elk River, Minn. / Elk River) and Scalia to bolster their lead to 43-35 entering the fourth quarter. Despite the lead, the shots weren't dropping for St. Thomas, which was shooting just 17-46 from the field through three quarters.
Early in the fourth, it was looking like St. Thomas was going to run away with the game, getting out to a double-digit advantage at 45-35. However, with just under five minutes to go, South Dakota would convert back-to-back and-ones, giving the Coyotes a 51-49 lead. After a three pointer from South Dakota boosted the lead to 54-49, Phoebe Frentzel (Hartland, Wis. / Arrowhead) hit a clutch three to make it a 56-54 game with 3:35 remaining in regulation.
Momentum swung quickly in favor of the Tommies, as Langbehn hit a clutch three of her own on the following possession to give St. Thomas a 57-56 lead. After a South Dakota basket, Hill converted a pair of free throws to put the Tommies back out front 59-58 with under two minutes to play.
The Coyotes would hit a three on their next possession, but Langbehn would tie it up at 61-61 with 36 seconds left in regulation. The Tommies would steal the ensuing inbound pass but couldn't convert on the other end. With .04 seconds left in the game, the Coyotes executed a perfect inbound play, finding a wide-open Tori DePerry to clinch the 63-61 victory for South Dakota.
Top Tommies
- Juniors Jo Langbehn (Elk River, Minn. / Elk River) and Jade Hill (Minneapolis, Minn. / South) led the way offensively with 17 points apiece. Langbehn was extremely efficient going 8-13 from the field, and Hill was a force on the defensive end, piling up five steals. ]
- Sophomore Amber Scalia (Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater) scored 11 points for the Tommies, while also adding four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
- Angelina Hammond (Hopkins, Minn. / Hopkins) led the team with eight rebounds in the loss.
Up Next
The Tommies will head to Fargo, North Dakota next Thursday, January 25 as they take on the Bison of North Dakota State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT in Bismark, North Dakota.
